Turkeyfeather

## Turkeyfeather Fire Report - July 29, 2025 ### Fire Start, Size and Growth **Start Date/Time/Location**: The Turkeyfeather Fire was ignited by lightning on Monday, June 30, 2025, approximately 22 miles southeast of Reserve, New Mexico. **Size and Containment**: As of July 25, 2025, the fire has burned an estimated 24,128 acres and is 50% contained. However, an earlier report from July 22, 2025, stated the fire was 24,128 acres and 25% contained. Another report from July 15, 2025, indicated 18,592 acres burned with 0% containment. The Turkeyfeather wildfire acreage now includes the nearby Chicken wildfire, which was also ignited by lightning on July 8, 2025, and subsequently merged with the Turkeyfeather Fire. **Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread**: The fire is burning through ponderosa pine, grass understory, and heavy downed fuels in previously burned areas. Recent activity has shown growth on the northwest side towards the Willow Creek subdivision. Fire behavior has been described as moderate, with backing, flanking, and creeping activity, and occasional torching and short-range spotting due to hot, dry weather and westerly winds. The fire has moved towards Iron Creek in the Turkey Feather Mountain area and a small section has entered the north side of Iron Creek, burning into the edge of the 2024 Ridge Wildfire. **Containment Efforts**: Firefighters are monitoring and evaluating protection points to the south of the fire to safeguard areas of cultural value. Crews are also hiking in daily from Snow Lake to try and keep fire away from the Gila River. Containment efforts include prepping contingency lines and scouting for new lines. Firing operations have been conducted along Snow Lake Road and in nearby pine stands to slow the fire's advance. Structure protection measures are being implemented for the Willow Creek subdivision. The Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed command of the fire on July 15, 2025. ### Emergency Information **Evacuations and Sheltering:** No evacuation orders or warnings have been reported for the Turkeyfeather Fire in the last 72 hours. **Road and Infrastructure Closures:** Specific road closures related to the Turkeyfeather Fire have not been detailed in the most recent reports. However, the Gila National Forest has issued closures and fire restrictions in the affected area. Travelers in the Mimbres Valley should remain alert for increased fire traffic and changing road conditions. **For more information, visit:** * [NM Fire Info - Turkeyfeather Fire Updates](https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/fir/) (Note: Specific incident pages may vary, this is a general link for New Mexico fire information) * [Gila National Forest Alerts](https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/gila/alerts-notices) * [Inciweb - Turkeyfeather Fire Information](https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmg-turkeyfeather-fire) ### Current Impact **Impacts:** No structures have been reported as burned or threatened by the Turkeyfeather Fire. There are no reported fatalities or injuries associated with this fire. **Safety Concerns:** Air quality in the region is generally reported as moderate to good, with hazy skies and light smoke. However, there is a potential for dangerous air quality levels in the mornings, particularly in the Gila Cliff Dwellings area, due to smoke. For real-time smoke conditions, residents can visit [fire.airnow.gov](https://fire.airnow.gov/). No burn bans or specific fire restrictions beyond those issued by the Gila National Forest have been detailed in recent reports. ### Ongoing Outlook **Containment Projections**: The fire is currently 50% contained as of July 25, 2025. An earlier report on July 22, 2025, indicated 25% containment. The Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Management Team plans to turn management of the fire back to the Gila National Forest on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, with work continuing on a smaller scale. **Weather and Wind Warnings**: The forecast for the fire area predicts a return of moisture and cooler temperatures with increased chances of rain. Daily thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds are forecast for the week, which may influence fire behavior and suppression efforts. Monsoonal moisture is expected to move into the area, leading to minimal fire growth. ### Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate **Cause**: The cause of the Turkeyfeather Fire is attributed to lightning, classifying it as a natural ignition. **Weather and Climate**: The fire's behavior is influenced by hot, dry weather conditions and westerly winds, which have created conditions for torching and short-range spotting. The recent increase in acreage is attributed to better mapping through helicopter reconnaissance. The forecast indicates a trend towards hotter, drier weather with a possibility of thunderstorms and gusty winds, which can contribute to fire activity. ### For more information, visit:** * [NM Fire Info](https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/fir/) * [Gila National Forest Alerts & Notices](https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/gila/alerts-notices) * [Inciweb - Turkeyfeather Fire](https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmg-turkeyfeather-fire)

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