Community Update June 13, 2012
Incident: Whitewater Baldy Complex Wildfire
Released: 6/13/2012
Fire Facts:
Date Started: 05/16/2012
Number of Personnel: 505 including 7 hand crews
Cause: Lightning
Size: 280,075 acres (437.6 square miles)
Equipment: 15 engines, 19 Water Tenders, 3 Dozers
Percent Contained: 51
Aircraft: 6 Helicopters
During yesterday's operational period, crews continued to fortify the line around Bear Wallow Lookout and to rehabilitate fire lines and roads along the northern fire boundary. Today's efforts will include restoration of fire lines in cold areas of the fires. Continued protection of the Bear Wallow Lookout is a priority for today's operation.
Visible fire activity occurred in pockets of unburned brush in the southern end of the fire, where the fire continues to make short runs. Firefighters are utilizing topographic features to their advantage where it can assist them in holding the fire.
Crews will continue efforts to clean up the cut branches and brush that were cleared to make the fire lines by chipping and dispersing them. Smoke will likely be visible in the southern portion of the fire near Turkey Creek as the fire slowly backs down the hill and then moves quickly back up the hill toward the main fire in patches of heavy trees. Firefighters are not expecting this to cause any holding concerns.
For your safety and the safety of the fire crews, please avoid traveling on Sacaton Road and Moon Ranch Road.
The weather forecast for the fire area through Friday is for continued hot and dry conditions. During this period, no thunderstorms are predicted.
For additional information regarding the post fire-flood assessment go to the Whitewater-Baldy Complex BAER page at http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2900/.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: If you are planning to visit the Forest, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect. Additional closures are still are in effect in several areas; please go to the Gila National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/gila for current information or contact the Forest directly at 575-388-8201.
