img 2664View of Tub Fire Sunday evening July 16, 2023 (more courtesy photos below)

Firefighters improving along roads, seeking opportunities to construct control lines

QUEMADO, July 18, 2023 – Among a spate of wildfires started by frequent lightning strikes over the last week, the Tub Fire was identified Sunday afternoon near Tub Peak, south of Mangas Mountain, on the Gila National Forest, Quemado Ranger District. It is estimated to be 25 acres in size.

Under supervision of a Type 4 Incident commander, firefighters are removing surface fuels along existing roads in preparation for use as containment features. Crews are also scouting locations to construct control lines where roads are lacking. Currently, two Type 6 engines, a Hotshot crew, and a fire dozer are assigned, and an additional Hotshot crew has been ordered.

"Typical for this time of year, the last couple of months of dry, windy weather have dried out fuels, making them receptive to fire," said Quemado District Ranger Randall Chavez. "However, the scattered rain, generally increased humidity, and increased cloud cover are all conspiring to help maintain low to moderate fire behavior."

Tub Fire is burning in the understory of pine forest consuming dead and down and ladder fuels just west of the 2019 Elk Fire area. Fuels vary depending on slope and aspect, with piñon-juniper woodland dominating northern and easterly slopes and pine forest on the southerly and western aspects. South of the fire, toward the nearest private land, fuels change to open piñon-juniper woodland, and then open grass and brush, which should help to limit fire growth in that direction.

The weather forecast is calling for highs in the mid-80s over the fire area and 40% to 70% chances for scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms and rain showers each day for the next week. With passing thunderstorms, crews will be on the lookout for sudden gusts and wind shifts that may cause changes in the fire's intensity and direction of travel as well as the potential for new lightning strike wildfires. For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or Maribeth.Pecotte@usda.gov .

img 4438Aerial view overhead view of smoke rising from Tub Fire Monday July 17, 2023

img 4435Aaerial distant view of smoke from Tub Fire Monday July 17, 2023

Content on the Beat

WARNING: All articles and photos with a byline or photo credit are copyrighted to the author or photographer. You may not use any information found within the articles without asking permission AND giving attribution to the source. Photos can be requested and may incur a nominal fee for use personally or commercially.

Disclaimer: If you find errors in articles not written by the Beat team but sent to us from other content providers, please contact the writer, not the Beat. For example, obituaries are always provided by the funeral home or a family member. We can fix errors, but please give details on where the error is so we can find it. News releases from government and non-profit entities are posted generally without change, except for legal notices, which incur a small charge.

NOTE: If an article does not have a byline, it was written by someone not affiliated with the Beat and then sent to the Beat for posting.

Images: We have received complaints about large images blocking parts of other articles. If you encounter this problem, click on the title of the article you want to read and it will take you to that article's page, which shows only that article without any intruders. 

New Columnists: The Beat continues to bring you new columnists. And check out the old faithfuls who continue to provide content.

Newsletter: If you opt in to the Join GCB Three Times Weekly Updates option above this to the right, you will be subscribed to email notifications with links to recently posted articles.

Submitting to the Beat

Those new to providing news releases to the Beat are asked to please check out submission guidelines at https://www.grantcountybeat.com/about/submissions. They are for your information to make life easier on the readers, as well as for the editor.

Advertising: Don't forget to tell advertisers that you saw their ads on the Beat.

Classifieds: We have changed Classifieds to a simpler option. Check periodically to see if any new ones have popped up. Send your information to editor@grantcountybeat.com and we will post it as soon as we can. Instructions and prices are on the page.

Editor's Notes

It has come to this editor's attention that people are sending information to the Grant County Beat Facebook page. Please be aware that the editor does not regularly monitor the page. If you have items you want to send to the editor, please send them to editor@grantcountybeat.com. Thanks!

Here for YOU: Consider the Beat your DAILY newspaper for up-to-date information about Grant County. It's at your fingertips! One Click to Local News. Thanks for your support for and your readership of Grant County's online news source—www.grantcountybeat.com

Feel free to notify editor@grantcountybeat.com if you notice any technical problems on the site. Your convenience is my desire for the Beat.  The Beat totally appreciates its readers and subscribers!  

Compliance: Because you are an esteemed member of The Grant County Beat readership, be assured that we at the Beat continue to do everything we can to be in full compliance with GDPR and pertinent US law, so that the information you have chosen to give to us cannot be compromised.