IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE; Southwest Area Incident Management Team DATE: JUNE 5, 2001 CONTACT: JIM PAXON, RACHEL LaPAZ, KAREN TAKAI; (505) 420-0037; The Trap & Skeet Fire is burning on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation about ½ mile southwest of Ruidoso, New Mexico. CURRENT ACREAGE: 463 acres (due to more accurate mapping) STARTED: June 2, 2001, @ 1405 hours CAUSE: Human-caused and is under investigation at this time. CONTAINMENT: 60% FUELS: Started in mixed conifer; burning in logging slash, heavy timber, and buildup of dense timber understory. TERRAIN: steep, rocky terrain VALUED THREATENED RESOURCES: the Village of Ruidoso, timber resources, and archaeological sites. TOTAL PERSONNEL: 682 but crews will begin demobilizing today EQUIPMENT: 32 engines (wildland/structural), 8 water tenders, and 9 dozers CREWS: 12 Type I (hotshots) and 16 Type II crews AIR SUPPORT: 2 heavy helicopters, 2 light helicopters, 4 air tankers The Mescalero Apache Reservation has issued a Class 5 Fire Restriction for the area, prohibiting all outside burning, open fires, and outdoor smoking. Travel on Reservation roads is limited to residents only. A press conference was held yesterday by Tribal President Sara Misquez, in which she said, “The Tribe would like to emphasize that even when the fire is completely contained, fire crews will continue to stand by to monitor the fire area and be available if the fire should flare up again. I want to thank all of the firefighters who have responded to this disaster. They are truly heroes in the eyes of the Mescalero Apache Tribe. Current weather conditions are expected to continue, with light breezes and clear skies forecasted. Firefighters will continue to mop up (extinguishing all burning material) 150 feet inside the fireline. Firefighters are reminded that safety of the public and personnel on the incident is a top priority and should never be compromised.
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