Skunk Fire near San Carlos reaches 27,441 acres

SKUNK FIRE  (Posted on May 19, 2014 at 1:47 p.m.) The Skunk Fire has consumed about 27,441 acres including fire growth and back burns. The fire continues to grow in a northwesterly direction along Nantac Rim towards Kidde Tank and easterly past Soldier Hole up the rim into pine forest. The south side of the fire is still holding in the Ash Creek area. Identified valuable resources have been protected and the projected fire direction continues to the west into predominate pinion juniper fuel type. The East line is projected to hold and contribute to increased containment next week. On Sunday, Division Charlie burned along Road 1500 northeast of the fire to establish a control line connecting to Basin Fire and last year’s Creek Fire. Division Foxtrot and Heavy Equipment completed fire lines on the east side of the fire on Road 1581. Today’s plans are to hold the south side of the fire near Ash Creek. Division Alpha is secured and holding. Division Charlie will be monitoring fire activity due to unsafe conditions for fire fighters. Division Foxtrot will mop up and hold the southeast portion of the fire. Division Zulu will secure the back burn on Road 1523, continue to monitor the west side of the fire, and prepare Road 1581 for possible back burn.        Fire Summary: ·         Start date: April 19, 2014 ·         Location: San Carlos Apache Reservation ·         Cause: Lightning ·         Size: 27,441 acres ·         Contained: 36% ·         Containment date: Estimated to be contained on May 23, 2014, at approx. 10 a.m. ·         Total personnel: 140 ·         Fire behavior: active fire with isolated torching behavior ·         Fuels involved: Timber (litter and understory), grass, juniper and oak woodlands ·         Terrain: Steep terrain with boulders (Source: Inciweb)