What's happening with the Wallow Fire in Arizona and how does it impact New Mexico? Print Share
Thursday, June 9, 2011
What's happening with the Wallow Fire in Arizona and how does it impact New Mexico?
[UPDATE] 06.23.2011, 2:25pm MST: The Wallow Fire is now 61% contained but has grown to over 532,000 acres.
The public may call the following numbers for area-specific fire information:
- Luna and Reserve, New Mexico: 575.533.6928
- Spanish language information line: 877.632.6678
A Crisis Intervention Line has been established for residents suffering from the stress of living with fire danger; the number for the hotline is 928.333.2683.
Parts of the Gila National Forest are still closed; see the Forest Service's website for more details.
[UPDATE] 06.15.2011, 09:45am MST: The Wallow Fire is now 20% contained but has grown to over 469,000 acres.
The pre-evacuation order for Luna, New Mexico, still stands.
The public may call the following numbers for area-specific fire information:
- Luna and Reserve, New Mexico: 575.533.6928
- Spanish language information line: 877.632.6678
New Mexicans can monitor air quality alerts in their area on the New Mexico Environment Department's website. Remember that if you see or smell smoke, try to remain indoors and close all windows and doors to minimize the amount of smoke you inhale.
Those who need help evacuating livestock should call the Catron County Sheriff's Office at 575.533.6222.
Parts of the Gila National Forest are still closed; see the Forest Service's website for more details.
Please stay tuned to your local news or radio for specific information relative to your community. You can also monitor the fire on InciWeb.org.
[UPDATE] 06.13.2011, 3:00pm MST: The Wallow Fire is now 10% contained but has grown to over 452,000 acres. Firefighters are making good progress on the eastern side of the fire.
The pre-evacuation order for Luna, New Mexico, still stands.
A closure is in effect for the western portion of the Gila National Forest. Please see the Forest Service's website for more details.
Winds are expected to peak this afternoon; the wind, combined with dry fuels and low relative humidity, is expected to increase fire activity.
There is a public meeting scheduled for 7:00pm at the Community Center in Reserve, New Mexico, tonight.
Senator Bingaman commends all the firefighters, New Mexico National Guardsmen, and others working on this emergency.
Please stay tuned to your local news or radio for specific information relative to your community. You can also monitor the fire on InciWeb.org.
[UPDATE] 06.10.2011, 10:12am MST: The Wallow Fire is now 5% contained but has grown to more than 389,000 acres.
Residents of Luna, New Mexico are on pre-evacuation orders and are asked to be prepared for an evacuation order to be issued.
Residents may call the Catron County Sheriff's Office at 575.533.6222 if they need help evacuating their livestock. Designated livestock holding sites are located in Reserve, Quemado, Magdalena, and Glenwood.
Air quality alerts for parts of New Mexico have been reissued or sustained through today. Those who are experiencing breathing difficulties due to the smoke are encouraged to call their doctor or 911. If you can see or smell smoke, it is recommended that you stay inside and close all windows and doors.
For more information, tune into your local news or radio station, or check the InciWeb Wallow Fire site or the Forest Sevice's Apache and Sitgreaves National Forests site (or follow them on twitter).
We are all concerned for our friends and neighbors in Arizona as the "Wallow Fire" grows. As of this writing, the fire has burned through over 336,000 acres and is 0% contained.
The fire is in eastern Arizona near Alpine, Nutrioso, and Greer, all of which have been evacuated. Tune into your local news channel or radio station to monitor the situation; this site will also be updated to reflect changes of that nature.
New Mexicans from all across our state have reported heavy smoke. Prolonged exposure to smoke can be dangerous for humans and for animals. Please take every precaution to avoid breathing smoky air; smoke particulate can have serious, long-term effects on your lungs. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has some basic tips on wildfire preparedness and response, highlights include:
- Pay attention to local air quality reports and visibility guides. If heavy smoke is visible or can be smelled, avoid outdoor activity and close windows and doors, and remain indoors.
- People with heart or lung disease, respiratory problems, older adults, and children should remain indoors.
- If conditions create a health emergency, call 911 or seek medical attention at the nearest medical facility.
The U.S. Forest Service is coordinating the response between federal, state, and local response teams; already, over 2,500 interagency firefighters, 119 engines, 26 watertenders, 14 helicopters, and 9 dozers have been deployed. This information is updated on the Incident Information System's Wallow Fire page. You can also get updates on the White Mountain Joint Information System's website.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is working with related organizations to evacuate livestock near the border of the fire.
The New Mexico Congressional delegation is working closely with state, federal, and local response teams in an effort to protect New Mexicans and their property from the fire.