Single Publication

Ridge Fire Open House tonight in Willow Creek

Daily Update – Saturday, July 13, 2024

Acres: 2,488                                                                            
Start Date: 7/4/2024
Location: 19 miles east of Glenwood, NM                                
Personnel: 312
Containment: 0%                                                                   
Fuels: Timber, grass, understory

Highlights: The Southwest Area Complex Incident Management Team 4 will host an open house tonight, on Saturday, July 13, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Willow Creek Ranch, located at 257 Willow Creek Road. The open house will provide an opportunity for the public to meet with fire managers and ask questions about the Ridge Fire.

Operations: Passing thunderstorms provided little to no precipitation over the fire yesterday. Fire managers conducted a successful reconnaissance flight over the area to provide an updated fire perimeter and acreage. The Ridge Fire continues to produce favorable fire effects with low intensity burning as it moves along the ridgetops on the northern flank. Heavy fuels such as logs and stumps continue to burn and smolder in previously burned areas to the east. The southern fire perimeter is holding with minimal activity on the ridgetops at Iron Creek Mesa. On the western flank, firefighters conducted a total of 20 acres of strategic firing operations along Trail #151 to remove excess vegetation and further strengthen the containment lines while continuing to prep handlines along the wilderness boundary. The Structure Protection Group completed the structure protection plan for the Willow Creek subdivision yesterday and will continue assessing structures in the Indian Creek area today. Crews will continue to monitor and patrol the northwestern perimeter throughout the day to ensure fire does not cross the completed handlines. Near the Iron Creek drainage, firefighters will continue strategic firing operations as conditions allow to further secure the western flank. Remaining crews will maintain initial attack readiness to respond to any new fire starts detected in the area. Three helicopters remain available to support crews on the Ridge Fire and surrounding areas.

Weather: High pressure will result in slightly warmer and drier conditions over the fire today. A brief isolated shower or thunderstorm is possible in the afternoon or early evening. Gusty and erratic winds are possible in the vicinity of thunderstorms. Similar conditions are expected on Sunday.  

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. Smoke monitors are now set up and operational at the Glenwood Ranger Station, Cliff, and Gila Cliff Dwellings.

Closures: The Gila National Forest has issued an emergency temporary closure of trails and trail segments for the Ridge Fire. The purpose of the closure order is for the protection of firefighters and public health and safety during emergency wildfire suppression activities occurring in and around the trails. The full closure order (No. 03-06-05-24-002) and map are available on Inciweb.

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