Baldy fire maintaining natural conditions in the Gila Wilderness

A natural fire one mile south of Mogollon Baldy lookout tower, near Lookout Canyon, has been burning since May 8 when lightning ignited trees in the area. The fire, which was reported as being under an acre on May 9, is burning in some of the most remote and rugged country in the Gila Wilderness, in an area that has seen wildfire frequently, reported the Forest Service, which is continuing to monitor the situation. "Prior to 1900, natural lightning-caused fires occurred in mixed conifer in the Gila Wilderness on average every 7-15 years with the longest fire-free interval being 26 years," said Liz Carver, fuels specialist with the Wilderness Ranger District in Mimbres. "Most fires took place during May and July. We are on track with a normal, natural process. Fire as a natural process keeps the forest from a dangerous build-up of fuels that would otherwise burn with high intensity during a severe fire season like last year. The Baldy Fire is maintaining natural conditions within the Gila Wilderness, promoting habitat diversity and forest health." The fire is at 9,000 feet elevation and is backing downslope across the surface, beneath a canopy of Douglas fir and White fir, and creeping around rock slides and jagged bluffs, within the perimeter of previous fires...more