Glenwood, NM —The U.S. Forest Service reports that a 35-acre fire is burning on the western edge of the Gila Wilderness.
The Blue Fire is located south of the community of Willow Creek and is north of the Whitewater Baldy Trail #172. It is about 18 miles northeast of Glenwood. It is burning in the Whitewater Baldy Complex fire scar which burned 297,845 acres in 2012, causing evacuations and closures.
The Blue fire is west of the Turkey Feather Fire that broke out in the Gila earlier this year; it is in very steep and rugged terrain that is inaccessible to firefighters, according to a news release from the U.S. Forest Service.
The Forest Service is sending an unmanned aircraft system for aerial reconnaissance. Smoke may be visible from Snow Lake, Negrito, Willow Creek and U.S. Highway 180.
Weather over the area is expected to be cool and dry for several days with highs in the 60s and lows in the 30s. Precipitation is predicted to begin on Sunday. The Forest Service reports that these weather conditions could help to limit fire growth.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as they become available.