#WallowFire Update for Zone 2 (eastern portion) of the Wallow Fire June 13, 2011

#WallowFire Update for Zone 2 (eastern portion) of the Wallow Fire June 13, 2011

Management of suppression activities on the Wallow Fire is divided into three areas, or zones. This update provides information about activities occurring on the East Zone of the fire. For information about the other zones, please visit www.InciWeb.org or www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf.  

Yesterday:  There was moderate fire activity along much of the eastern perimeter of the fire.  Crews continued line construction to the intersection of Road 281 and the Blue River.  Structure protection crews in Luna remained in place last night. 

Saturday night, crews ignited unburned fuels along the 281 road to strengthen containment lines.  That burnout work continues to hold. 

Today:  Steady 11 to 17 mile per hour winds with gusts of up to 25 – 30, will be out of the southwest and west throughout the day.  Winds are expected to peak in late afternoon.  Relative humidity continues in the single digits.  Increased fire activity is expected, due to the combination of wind, dry fuels and low relative humidity.

Firefighters will work day and night shifts providing structure protection in and around the Blue River area and Luna.   Construction and improvement of containment lines will continue during these shifts.  The objectives for Zone 2 include keeping the fire south of Highway 180 and west of the major transmission lines. 

In the lower Blue River drainage the fire is now slowly backing down the drainage.

A helibase at Luna is providing support to both zones 1 and 2 of the Wallow Fire. 

Approximately 150 Soldiers and Airmen with the New Mexico National guard continue to assist emergency management agencies with safety and security issues and any required evacuations.

Public Meeting:  There is a public meeting scheduled for 7:00pm at the Community Center in Reserve, New Mexico on Monday night at 7 pm.

More Information:  The fire information office for Zone 2 is located at the Catron County Fairgrounds in Reserve, New Mexico.  For more information about Zone 2 of the Wallow Fire, please call 575-533-6928.

Closures:  There is a Forest closure on the western portions of Quemado, Reserve and Glenwood Ranger Districts.  The closure is necessary to protect the public and provide for firefighter safety while working to contain the Wallow Fire.