Page 56 - The Silver Fire

THE BLACK RANGE RAG - WWW.BLACKRANGE.ORG
July 4 Update (Con’t)
Open / Closed Areas: NM Highway 152 is open. Safety is still a concern and drivers should be alert for domestic livestock, wildlife, rocks, fallen trees and debris along the road. For road information go to www.nmroads.com. An emergency closure remains in effect for a small portion of the Gila National Forest in the vicinity of the fire area. Recreation sites along Hwy 152 remain closed and the entire Aldo Leopold Wilderness area is also closed. For more information about the area of the fire closure go to www.fs.usda.gov/gila.
All communities adjacent to the fire remain open for business including the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. The majority of the Gila National Forest is open for recreational opportunities with Stage 1 fire restrictions in effect. For more information on restrictions, go to firerestrictions.us. Emory Pass Vista is open.
Fireworks are prohibited on National Forest Lands. You compliance is greatly appreciated.
Anyone seeking information regarding the Yarnell Fire in Prescott, AZ please contact: Mike Reichling at the AZ State Forestry Division
(928-427-3347) or Carrie Dennett (602-399-3078).
www.facebook.com/SilverFireNM www.flickr.com/gilaforest www.twitter.com/SilverFireNM
July 5, 2013 - Kirtland AFB Crash Rescue - Fire Perimeter Map As of July 3
As of the last official report the Silver Fire has consumed 138,546 acres. 59% contained.
Above and Below: Photograph by Bob Barnes of Hillsboro
Helicopters were a critical asset in helping to suppress the Silver Fire in the Gila National Forest. At the peak of the incident, six helicopters were used to make water drops, fly reconnaissance missions, and transport cargo and personnel. When fire management personnel realized they would be using several helicopters each day throughout the duration of the fire, they wanted to make sure they had a crash rescue unit on scene in case of an aircraft accident.
Chief of Party Kristopher Gitter eagerly responded to a request from the Gila National Forest for aircraft crash and rescue support by sending Crash Rescue Unit #16. “Our mission when ordered was to stage at the incident Helibase to respond to helicopter landing emergencies. Our primary function was to get the pilot and crew members out of the helicopter, then suppress fire."
Crash Rescue #16 is a P-19 crash rescue engine that holds 1,000 gallons of water and 130 gallons of Class B foam concentrate (AFFF-Aquious Film Forming Foam) that is specifically designed to extinguish fire with flammable liquids. It is also equipped with a 500-pound dry chemical unit used to extinguish electrical fires and chemicals that are present in aircraft accidents. Engines that normally respond to wildfires are equipped with Class A foam which is intended to extinguish woody material. The P-19 has two exterior nozzles that can shoot water or foam up to 175 feet in order to extinguish an exterior aircraft fire. The cab is setup so the driver can operate nozzles and the extinguisher to provide for safety and establish a safe passage to extricate aircraft occupants.
Firefighters train continuously in aircraft crash and rescue, hi-angle
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iN MEMORY OF THE GRANITE MOUNTAIN HOTSHOTS