Location: western side of Burros Mountains, in Park Canyon and Kelly Chimney Canyon, Grant County, NM

Start Date: June 20, 2021 Size: ~200-300 acres Cause: Lightning
Vegetation: Pinyon Juniper and grass Total Personnel: 15
Containment: 0%

Resources: 2 Type 6 and 1 Type 4 engines

Summary: The strategy for this fire is full suppression with a confine and contain strategy, to protect the private inholdings along the Redrock Road, and limit impacts to range infrastructure. Due to the rugged terrain, firefighters are using a mix of direct and indirect tactics to contain the fire and protect values at risk. Today, firefighters will work to keep the fire north of the Redrock Road and scout opportunities to engage the fire south of Bullard Peak. The 5000-acres Bar 6 Prescribed Fire (2021) will limit fire spread to the east and help limit impacts to the Oak Grove subdivision.

Objectives :

Location: Johnson Canyon, west of McKenna Park. 3 miles west of Gila Cliff Dwellings, Wilderness Ranger District, Catron County, NM

Start Date: May 20, 2021 Size: ~85,590 acres Cause: Lightning
Vegetation: Ponderosa Pine and Grass Total Personnel: 153 Containment: 9%

Resources: 1 Interagency Hotshot crews, 1 handcrew module, 1 Type 2 Initial Attack crew, 8 Type 6 Engines, 3 Water Tenders, and 2 Type 3 Helicopters.

Announcement: If you visit the Gila National Forest, remember that fire danger is very high and Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect. For detailed information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/gila/alerts-notices.

Summary: Crews remain actively engaged on the northwest side improving lines and conducting structure assessments in the Willow Creek area. The northern side of the fire is being monitored by horseback. Crews will mop-up small heat signatures within the northeast corner of the fire. The southeast flank along Hell and Water Canyons remains active as it approaches the Gila River. The southern flank of the fire is being monitored by air.

Objectives: Provide for public and firefighter safety and allow fire to play its natural role on the landscape. Values at risk are the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, White Creek Cabin, and sensitive aquatic species in the Gila Wilderness.

Fire Behavior: Moderate, with flanking, creeping, and backing.

Closures:

[Editor's Note: This is part 9 and the final of a multi-article series on the Grant County Commission work session of June 8, 2021, and regular meeting on June 10, 2021. This article begins with elected official reports at the June 10, 2021 meeting.]

By Mary Alice Murphy

At the Grant County Commission regular session on June 10, 2021, Sheriff Frank Gomez gave his monthly report. He said he anticipates that accelerated training will be offered at the state level in addition to the required training.

Gomez plans to send two D.A.R.E. officers to training to maintain the department's certification. "The program is evidence-based."

He also noted that his deputies had re-arrested a felon that had been released from state prison. The felon was involved in a Santa Clara shooting.

Gomez noted that the department criminal investigation division (CID)nwas involved in the trials of several serious crimes that are being tried at this time. They include a homicide and a sexual penetration of a minor case.

The department received an increase in domestic violence calls in May.

"The Covid joint committee has merged with the emergency management committee," Gomez said.

"We have seen an increase in criminal activity in the county and in the border area," he said. "We assist the federal authorities when we are called on to do so."

Location: Johnson Canyon, west of McKenna Park. 3 miles west of Gila Cliff Dwellings, Wilderness Ranger District, Catron County, NM

Start Date: May 20, 2021 Size: ~84,873 acres Cause: Lightning
Vegetation: Ponderosa Pine and Grass Total Personnel: 201 Containment: 11%

Resources: 1 Interagency Hotshot crews, 1 handcrew module, 1 Type 2 Initial Attack crew, 7 Type 6 Engines, 4 Water Tenders, and 2 Type 3 Helicopters.

Summary: Crews on the northwest side of the fire will continue to improve lines along the Iron Creek Mesa Trail, and scout and assess structures in the Willow Creek area. The northern side of the fire is being monitored by horseback. The southeast flank along Hell and Water Canyons are being checked with helicopter bucket drops. This flank of the fire remains active as it approaches the Gila River. The southern flank of the fire is being monitored by air. Active backing fire behavior was observed southwest of the Mogollon Baldy lookout.

Objectives: Provide for public and firefighter safety and allow fire to play its natural role on the landscape. Values at risk are the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, White Creek Cabin, and sensitive aquatic species in the Gila Wilderness.
Fire Behavior: Moderate, with flanking, creeping, and backing.
Closures:

Location: Johnson Canyon, west of McKenna Park. 3 miles west of Gila Cliff Dwellings, Wilderness Ranger District, Catron County, NM

Announcement: If you visit the Gila National Forest this weekend, remember that fire danger is very high and Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect. For detailed information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/gila/alerts-notices

Start Date: May 20, 2021 Size: ~83,096 acres Cause: Lightning
Vegetation: Ponderosa Pine and Grass Total Personnel: 181 Containment: 11%

Resources: 3 Interagency Hotshot Crews, 1 handcrew module, 1 Type 2 Initial Attack crew, 7 Type 6 Engines, 4 Water Tenders, and 2 Type 3 Helicopters and 1 Type 2 Helicopter.

Summary: Yesterday, active backing fire behavior was observed southwest of the Mogollon Baldy lookout. The southeast corner of the fire remains active as it begins to approach the Gila River. Crews continue to tie the active fire into the old burn area from last year’s Good Fire. Water drops will continue on the southeast flank of the fire in Hell Canyon and Water Canyon. Crews on the north side of the fire will continue to scout and prepare lines and assess structures in the Willow Creek area. The southern portion of the fire is being patrolled by air.

Objectives: Provide for public and firefighter safety and allow fire to play its natural role on the landscape. Values at risk are the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, White Creek Cabin, and sensitive aquatic species in the Gila Wilderness.
Fire Behavior: Moderate, with flanking, creeping, and backing.

Closures:

Upper Gila River Valley-Southern Gila Highlands/Black Range-
Southern Gila Foothills/Mimbres Valley-
Eastern Black Range Foothills-
Including the cities of Cliff, Buckhorn, Gila Hot Springs,
Mule Creek, Silver City, Lake Roberts, Kingston, Fort Bayard,
Mimbres, Hurley, Faywood, Grant County Airport, Hillsboro,
and Winston
854 PM MDT Fri Jun 18 2021

...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON SATURDAY TO MIDNIGHT MDT
SUNDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...Temperatures 97 to 102 for elevations of 6500 to 8000
feet. Temperatures 95 to 97 above 8000 feet.

* WHERE...Gila Wilderness of Grant County and surrounding areas.

* WHEN...From noon Saturday to midnight MDT Sunday night.