Current Acreage:  77 acres,  decrease due to refined mapping.

Location:  T17S, R9W, Section 2;  south of Emory Pass Vista on Hwy 152

Fuel Type:  Transition Zone;  Ponderosa, Juniper/Pinon, Mountain Mahogany, with manzanita in the lower elevations and mixed conifer in the upper elevations.

Cause:  Lightning

Narrative: 

The Tierra Blanca Fire will transition from the Gila/Las Cruces Zone Type III Incident Management Team to  Type III Incident Commander Steve Bumgarner. Recent weather patterns have increased humidity which is advantageous to suppression actions by limiting spread potential and fire growth. The fire area received light precipitation, further assisting suppression efforts. Fire behavior is reported to be low, and crews continue to strengthen containment lines and cool hot spots. The fire remains 5 air miles from Kingston and 10 air miles from Hillsboro. Currently the fire is not considered a threat to these communities. Suppression activities will continue on the Tierra Blanca fire through the weekend. Smoke may drift into low-lying areas overnight, but is expected to dissipate during daylight hours.

Trail Travel Advisory:  Forest visitors using Crest Trail # 79 south of Emory Pass should be advised of heavy fire traffic, both personnel and pack stock. When encountering packers and stock on the trail, please move to the downslope side of the trail and allow stock train to pass you. Trail #134 to Trujillo Canyon and Trail #135 into the Tierra Blanca drainage will also be utilized by fire personnel and pack stock. No trails are closed at this time.

For further information, please contact Ellen Brown at the Gila National Forest, (575)388-8262 or (575) 388-8201.