Single Publication

FINAL UPDATE for WATER FIRE

Monday, May 2, 2022

10:00 a.m.

INCIDENT STATISTICS

THIS WILL BE THE FINAL UPDATE UNLESS THERE IS SOMETHING SIGNICANT TO REPORT

Location of Origin:  3 miles east of the Wilderness Ranger Station and 6 miles north of Mimbres, NM.

Start date:  April 28, 2022 – 2:30 p.m. MST

Current Size: 520 acres

Percent Contained:  60%

Cause:  Under Investigation

Resources Assigned: 6 Engines, 3 Helicopters, and 2 Crews. A total of 73 personnel are assigned. Air Tankers are strategically staged at Air Tanker bases throughout the country during peak wildfire season. They are currently supporting numerous active wildfires in the NM/AZ region.    

Closures:  None

Safety:  Please use extreme caution when recreating in the forest. The smallest spark can start a wildfire. Drown campfires with water and stir coals until they are dead out and heat is no longer present. With very low humidity and gusty winds, a new wildfire can grow very quickly.

Cooperators:  Mimbres Volunteer Fire Department

TODAY: Crews have been working hard to secure the heel and head of the fire with good success. The west side is secured by a two-track road and so far, that line is holding. The east side is steep and rocky and vegetation is very sparse. The fire is demonstrating minimal fire behavior and is mostly smoldering.

WEATHER:  Critical fire weather conditions are forecast for Monday and Tuesday. Relative humidity remains very low during the day, but nighttime recovery continues to help moderate fire behavior.

SUMMARY:  The Water Fire started on April 28 at 2:30 p.m.  It is located 6 miles north of Mimbres, NM, on the Gila National Forest. Initial response by Air Tankers helped slow the fire’s spread significantly. The fire is now 60% contained. Ground forces, including engines and hand crews will continue their efforts to increase the percent of containment.

The Gila National Forest is planning to implement Stage 1 Fire Restrictions later this week.

Twitter: @GilaNForest / Facebook: @GilaNForest

Media Contact:  Andrew Mitchell – GNF PAO 626-759-6876

Email:  andrew.mitchell@usda.gov