Last info we had was that the fire was right up next to the line, so it is likely in New Mexico now. We have a type 1 incident management team ready to engage the fire in the Gila National Forest, including 2 small air tankers at the Reserve strip, an initial attack helicopter and 5 engines, plus we have Hot Shots and other personnel. The air tankers are well situated to have a short turn around, just 10 minutes so that’s an advantage. We also have fire departments from other cities including a number from Arizona situated in Luna
Our fire teams have been working for days creating emergency lines between the state line and Luna, taking advantages of natural barriers, pruning trees and openening it up. They are already set up to protect Luna and ranches to the north.
It is important to understand that the fuel is different here. Because we have a predominantly south and west facing forest, it is a lighter composition of trees, grasses and fuels compared to a easterly/northerly aspect of the main body of the fire in Arizona. The west and south facing forest is just not as rich a fuel source because it is always sun-exposed, there is more wind hitting it, and there is a poorer soil. This is another advantage to fighting this fire.
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