Ad
Featured
Turkeyfeather Fire burns 22,000 acres in Gila National Forest
Published
Modified
A lightning-caused fire has burned over 22,000 acres in the Gila National Forest, and firefighters are allowing it to burn for "better forage."
The Turkeyfeather Fire, 22 miles southeast of Reserve — one hour from the Arizona border — sparked on June 30 and combined with the lightning-caused Chicken Fire on July 12.
"This wildfire is currently being managed for resource benefit," said Annette Disert, public information officer for the Turkeyfeather Fire. "The fire is actually cleaning a lot of forest floors, so this is the kind of fire we like. It makes for better forage."
According to the wildfire information management system, New Mexico Fire Information, the fire "continues to burn through ponderosa pine, grass understory, and heavy downed fuels in previously burned areas." As of Tuesday, the fire is 19% contained.
Disert said every year, a fire burns through the area and consumes dead material, allowing greenery and forage to grow in its place.
"Firefighters are guiding the fire when they want it to go," Disert said. "They use tactics so they may suppress the fire as they guide it. They're basically corralling it."
Disert said if rain doesn't contain the fire, a Type 3 wildfire management team would begin more active suppression efforts. Thunderstorms with winds are predicted for the remainder of the week near the Gila National Forest.
"We're allowing rain to come, and we're just letting nature do its thing," Disert said.
Visitors to the northern area of the Gila Wilderness should be aware of the Turkeyfeather Fire burning in the area of Lilley Park Trail No. 164, Iron Creek Mesa Trail No. 171, Cooper Trail No. 141 and Turkeyfeather Pass. The fire is burning south of Iron Creek and east of Cooper Canyon in the Clayton Mesa area.
