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GILA NATIONAL FOREST – Full perimeter containment was reached this week on the Doagy Fire burning in the Gila National Forest while the Johnson Fire grew over 7,000 additional acres since Tuesday.
The national forest released the final update for the Doagy Fire Thursday morning, barring any significant developments. The wildfire was ignited by lightning May 14 and is located northeast of Beaverhead Administrative Site in Catron County.
Size has maintained at 12,785 acres with crews reaching 100% perimeter containment. Pockets of unburned fuel within the perimeter will continue to smolder until the forest receives significant moisture. Smoke will also remain visible.
Crews will continue to monitor the fire and ensure community and environmental safety. There is a chance for showers and thunderstorms through Sunday with weather expected to generally be warm and breezy. Conditions will be warm and dry going into next week with low humidity.
GILA NATIONAL FOREST – Fire officials note several roads, trails and one national monument will be temporarily closed due to nearby fires in the Gila National Forest, but cooler weather this week should help firefighters to control the blazes.
The largest of the four fires is the Johnson Fire, which has scorched 30,826 acres as of Tuesday morning. The Catron County fire, started by lightning on May 20, is about 11 miles west of Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument.
Crews continue to monitor the active blaze as it heads toward the West Fork Gila River. The West Fork Gila River trail network is closed due to the fire. Also, the Upper and Lower Scorpion campgrounds are closed to public use because they are being used for fire camp operations.
Smoke from Gila wildfires impacting tri-county area
Headlight staff reports
GILA CLIFF DWELLINGS NATIONAL MOUNUMENT, N.M. – The Johnson Fire on the Gila National Forest is burning within the boundaries of the Gila Wilderness. The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is receiving heavy smoke impacts from the fire.
Smoke from fire rises up and away during the daytime, but in the evenings, smoke can pool back down in canyons, drainages, and basins. Smoke will be visible from NM Highway 15, NM Hwy. 35, and US Highway 180, and on the monument’s trail system.
A smoke monitor has been placed at Gila Center to assess smoke impacts, and can be viewed at https://app.airsis.com/USFS/Units/Details?custId=2&unitId=1076. The New Mexico Department of Health site also known as 5-3-1, https://nmtracking.org/fire has good information and guidance on mitigating your smoke exposure.