Lincoln National Forest – Kellar Fire Update: 10:00 pm

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Incident Name – Kellar Fire

Fire Update: 5/29/2018, 10:00 pm

Jurisdiction: Lincoln National Forest, Guadalupe Ranger District

Date/Time Detected: 5/22/2018, 9:52am

Location: North of Queen, NM

Lat/Long: Lat: 32°,12′,42.92″, Lon: 104°,40′,45.47″

Legal Description: T24S, R22E, SWSW Sec 14

Firefighting Resources: Type 3 Incident Management Team, 3 Hot Shot Crews, 2 Type-3 Engines, 5 Type-6 Engines, 2 Water Tenders, 1 Helicopter Module. Total Personnel: 159

Values at Risk: Community of Queen, NM, Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area, Forage

Hazards: Heat, Terrain

Fuels:  Pinon/Juniper, brush and grass

Size: 620 acres

Containment: 0%

Cause: Lightning

Structures In the Area: 403 (Mostly in Queen, NM. There is a fire line north of the community of Queen. None of these structures are in immediate danger.)

Closures: See attached Closure Order for details.

• Forest Service Road 276 at Eddy County Road 409 junction (Sitting Bull Gate)
• Forest Service Road 277-C at Forest Service Road 277
• Forest Service Road 68 at NM-Hwy 137 junction
• Forest Service Road 525 at NM-Hwy 137 junction
• Sitting Bulls Falls Day Use Area and all Sitting Bulls Falls trail systems

5/29/18, 10:00 pm Status:

Tuesday, May 29, 2018, approximately 8:30 am, two Hot Shot crews began blackline operations on the Kellar Fire at the junction of Last Chance Canyon and Sitting Bull Canyon. This tactic will limit fire spread to the north and east. The black lining extended out to Logan Spring on the north perimeter, south to the Forest Service Road 525 and Trail 214 junction. Shortly after, an aerial ignitions operation was conducted, by helicopter. The operation fire was successful, achieving 620 acres of perimeter enhancement. The hot, dry weather pattern is continuing to dry fine fuels and support desired effects for resource management. Further operational periods will be conducted to complete any necessary ignitions not completed during today’s planned burn period.

Please view the official Kellar Fire Closure Order for more information.

Map of Kellar Fire Map of Kellar Fire 052918

Latest update from Pecos Type III Team: Kellar Fire Update 5_29_18

Three minute video describing aerial ignition operations:

Regarding smoke, in the event of a prescribed fire or wildfire: If visibility becomes lower because of smoke, please visit the NM Department of Health’s smoke page:  https://nmtracking.org/fire

PIO: Linda Wallace, 575-937-1307, nmkellarfire@gmail.com