Fire Update: Rehabilitation Continues on Big Sprin
Incident: Big Spring Wildland Fire
Released: 7/2/2008
Estancia, NM - June 30, 2008, 8:00 am... Mop-up operations and fire suppression rehabilitation are the focus on the Big Spring Fire. Crews will be working to suppress hot spots and restore any fireline that was constructed, including a chipping operation to mulch vegetation that was cut during fireline construction. As suppression crews are being sent to other fires, additional personnel are beginning to arrive to conduct rehabilitation of the fire area.There are still portions of the forest that did not receive significant rainfall and the fire danger remains extreme. The public is reminded that the Mountainair Ranger District is in stage III fire restrictions (partial closure) which prohibits entry onto Forest Service land. Due to this closure, Forest Road 55 is closed to the public except from Forest Road 55 to the junction of Forest Road 321 on the north side, and from Forest Road 55 to the Trail Canyon Trailhead on the south side.For information about fire restrictions on the Cibola National Forest visit the forest website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/cibola/Cooler temperatures that occur at night will cause smoke to settle in the surrounding communities. Torrance County Emergency Management officials are urging anyone who has breathing problems (asthma, emphysema etc.) to avoid the area as a precaution, especially at night and early morning.Estimated Acreage: 5,580 acres Containment: 85%Total Personnel: 417Estimated Containment Date: July 1, 2008Jurisdictional Agencies: USFS, Torrance County EOC, NM State ForestryRestrictions and closures (These areas are still closed to non-residents): Forest Valley SubdivisionFourth of July CampgroundForest Service Road 55 (see above)
