Whitewater-Baldy Complex Fire, New Mexico: Largest fire in New Mexico history

"The Whitewater-Baldy Complex Fire started as two fires that merged, both caused by lightning. The Whitewater fire was first detected on May 16th, and the smaller Baldy fire was detected a few days earlier on May 9th. These fires then merged on May 24th and together burned a total of 297,845 acres until it was 100% contained on July 23rd. Mid-July rain showers helped fire crews contain this fire. This fire was difficult to contain due to rugged terrain with gusty winds, and relative humidity less than 3%. The fire consumed timber, mixed conifer, poderosa pine, pinon/juniper, and grasses. The suppression costs of the Whitewater-Baldy Complex Fire surpassed $23 million, according to the GACC. This is the largest fire in New Mexico history, which surpassed the previous record of 150,000 acres consumed by the Las Conchas Fire in 2011."

(http://beforeitsnews.com/environment/2012/12/the-exceptional-u-s-wildfire-season-of-2012-the-top-5-u-s-wildfires-of-2012-2457816.html)

Spotted by a reconnaissance flight, the Baldy fire was estimated at a quarter of an acre in size, and burning in rough, rocky, steep terrain. At that time, the active flame was showing in dead and down logs. According to the next day’s report, some precipitation occurred overnight and the fire would continue to be monitored.

Another lightning-caused fire, The Whitewater Fire, was detected on May 16, burning approximately 10 miles northeast of Glenwood, NM, and about 5 miles southwest of the community of Willow Creek.

Why were some fires only "monitored" while others were being actively suppressed, when Forest Service personnel, by their own admission, knew high winds were predicted and drought conditions were present? Why were these fires not aggressively suppressed?

Why was a land owner in Willow Creek who called to report the Whitewater Fire and volunteered to go put it out, told "The Forest Service will monitor it."?

Why, when the U Trail crew saw the Whitewater Fire and asked if the Forest Service wanted them to put it out, they were also told "The Forest Service will monitor it,"?

At the same time, The Rocky, The Space and The Black Fires, also originating with lightning strikes, were being actively suppressed, even though they were located in the Aldo Leopold Wilderness, and suppression in the wilderness goes against " The Wilderness Act". The Rocky Fire was estimated at 54 acres; both the Space and Black Fires were less than one acre.

Another wildfire was discovered at approximately 12:20.p.m. on Saturday June 2nd in the immediate vicinity of the Little Walnut picnic area northwest of Silver City. The "Gomez Fire" was situated in a mixed pine, grass, and oak brush concentration and in very steep and rugged terrain.　 Winds in the fire area were 50 to 60 mph out of the north.　 Within 15 minutes, a lead plane and one helitanker, were airborne to this fire.　 An additional heavy airtanker had been ordered and were enroute to this fire.　 Additionally, one Interagency Hotshot Crew and one suppression crew, two Brush Engines had responded and were taking aggressive action alongside local VFD and County Fire for an estimated total of 50 personnel on the fireline. Estimated size of this blaze was approximately 30 acres. WHY WERE NONE OF THESE RESOURCES USED ON THE BALDY OR WHITEWATER FIRES?

May 22, 2012 saw 0% containment on both fires. Sometime in the early afternoon of May 23, the Baldy Fire and Whitewater Fires burned together, and the growing monster was renamed the Whitewater-Baldy Complex, with a reported size of 11,500 acres, mostly due to heavy winds and rising temperatures. The fire was roaring through dense, heavily timbered areas, mostly overgrown due to decades of forest mismanagement. At this time, the ICP (Incident Command Post) relocated to the Catron County Fairgrounds at Reserve, NM. Perhaps they already knew this fire was going to grow to extraordinary proportions? A voluntary evacuation of Mogollon was put into effect that day. The fire reached the Willow Creek Subdivision and was burning on both sides of the creek. Prior to the fire reaching the subdivision, they reported that structure protection was being provided. However, twelve cabins and thirteen out buildings were confirmed as burned, another occurrence that could have been easily avoided with more suppression and less monitoring.

More information can be obtained by reading a Narrative of Whitewater Baldy Complex Fire, May, 23, Observations and Actions, written by Doug Boykin, Socorro District Forester, NM EMNRD, Socorro District; and found at this location: http://pearce.house.gov/sites/pearce.house.gov/files/2%20Whitewater%20Baldy%20Complex%20Report%20%20%28Boykin%29.pdf

If you think, as I do, that the actions NOT TAKEN by the Forest Service should be investigated, please sign this petition, to be forwarded to Congressman Pearce's and Senator Bingaman's office, in the hopes of persuading the Congress to investigate these inactions.

To sign the petition, please add your name, address, and date signed to the comments on this note.

Jack Stewart

Glenwood, NM

7-5-13