Single Publication

Southwest Area Complex Incident Management Team 4 assumes command of Ridge Fire

Daily Update – Thursday, July 11, 2024

Acres: 2,245                                                                          

Start Date: 7/4/2024

Location: 19 miles east of Glenwood, NM                          

Personnel: 220

Containment: 0%                                                                 

Fuels: Timber, grass, understory

Highlights: The Southwest Area Complex Incident Management Team 4 assumed command of the lightning-caused Ridge Fire at 7:00 AM this morning, Thursday, July 11, 2024. A complex team brings additional resources and management capabilities to manage the Ridge Fire. Incident objectives include protecting values at risk while allowing fire to play its natural role in the Gila Wilderness. Expected benefits include reduction of hazardous fuels, encouraging native growth, and improved watershed conditions, species diversity, and wildlife habitat.

Operations: Crews are working to protect valuable resources in the area, including adjacent private lands, cultural and natural resources, threatened and endangered species, range improvements, and watersheds. Firefighters are focusing their suppression strategy on preventing the Ridge Fire from spreading west toward the Willow Creek area. Along the southwestern edge of the fire, several crews worked together to prep National Forest System (NFS) Trail #151 (West Fork Trail) along the Iron Creek drainage to keep the fire east of the trail. Crews removed excess vegetation to prevent fire spread about halfway down the trail to the Cooper Creek junction yesterday and will continue that work today. On NFS Trail #157 (Middle Fork Trail) along Gilita Creek, crews performed a reconnaissance mission to gather information and assess the Middle Fork Trail as a potential holding feature to protect the Gilita Creek restoration project. To the north and west, firefighters assessed campgrounds and other infrastructure for structure preparedness in the Willow Creek and Snow Lake areas. 

 Weather: Increased chances for showers and thunderstorms today, especially during the afternoon hours. Winds will be generally light to breezy with temperatures in the mid-70s. Showers and thunderstorms may continue through early evening, with an elevated chance of precipitation lasting throughout the week. 

Smoke: Smoke may be visible from Mogollon, Willow Creek, and Snow Lake. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions. 

Closures: There are currently no closures in place for the Ridge Fire on the Gila National Forest. A closure for affected trails within the fire area is anticipated in the near future. Due to increased firefighter presence in the area, members of the public should stay away from Ridge Fire operations.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes uncrewed aircraft or drones. Flying drones near wildfires is dangerous for pilots and firefighters and can bring wildfire suppression efforts to a halt. Know before you fly. If you fly, we can’t. More information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground can be found at: https://uas.nifc.gov/. 

More Information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmgnf-ridge-fire / 

575-323-8994 / https://www.facebook.com/GilaNForest / 2024.ridge@firenet.gov