Location: NE Corner of Willow Mountain, Glenwood Ranger District, Gila National Forest

Start Date: June 10, 2018

Cause: Lightning

Vegetation: old burn scar, heavy dead and down, some mixed conifer and ponderosa pine.

Resources: Initial Attack crew and Wildland Fire Use Module

Size: ~ 80 acres

Containment: 0%

Incident Commander: J. Hammer, ICT3, M. Cornwell, ICT3t

Summary: The Willow Fire, is burning on National Forest System lands, on Glenwood Ranger District in Catron County, NM. It is about 400 yards above Crest Trail #182 where it benches into a saddle, therefore Crest Trail #182 will be closed from Sandy Point to Trail #172 for public health and safety. More trails are being evaluated for closures, again for public health and safety.

The fire is burning fairly hot in heavy timber and spotting. Yesterday, air reconnaissance confirmed the start in an old burn scar. With fire fighter safety being first priority, fire management officials have determined that an indirect strategy with point protection tactics is the best strategy for this fire. Values at risk are the Indian Creek cabins and the Willow Creek subdivision. NM Hwy 159 is closed at mile post 12 into Willow Creek. https://nmroads.com/mapIndex.html??

Smoke from fire rises up and away during the daytime, but in the evening smoke can pool back down in canyons, drainages, and basins. For information on air quality and protecting your health, and to find guidance on distances and visibility, please visit https://nmtracking.org/fire . Fire information can be found at nmfireinfo.com .

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila