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This fire is burning on the east side of 191 into the southern edge of the Blue Range

Currently 15000 acres, natually caused. Unfortunate for those thinking of taking a trip into the trails near the Blue River, or in the Blue Range itself.

Highway 191 is closed in both directions between Mile Marker 189 (just past Juan Miller Road) and Mile Marker 225 (Blue Vista).

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6747/

I drove down 191 last Sunday, within a couple days of the fire starting. The day before, there was lots of smoke heading up towards the Alpine area. Lots of fire crew in the vicinity of the fire when I drove down the highway. Doesn't look like this one has done too much damage yet, but unfortunately doesn't look like there's much to contain it besides the 191.

@ShatteredArm
Thats good to know, they literally just cleared raspberry Trail and planted Gila Trout last year in the creek. I worry about that trail and drainage, as well as Strayhorse which has some historical cabins and a nice forest.

@friendofThundergod
It's definitely in the vicinity of Strayhorse. If they haven't been using it as a fire line, I'd say it's at risk.

I was going to go up there today to hike Blue Peak, and I called the ranger to ask about trail conditions. He told me about the fire, and even though it was south of Blue Peak, he suggested that I not come up there. I took his advice and went hiking in the Chiricahuas instead.

Looks like it's still holding at Strayhorse Creek. Guessing they started a back burn when the conditions were more favorable.

I know this is not getting much coverage and most people are prob under the impression that the Blue Range is all burnt up anyways, but losing Strayhorse is a huge loss and one of the lesser known gems of the Blue Range. There are historical cabins along that trail, a spectacular mixed forest and I think I saw like five bears in one day on that trail.

[ photoset ]

Strayhorse has been on my list for awhile, ugh.

From today's update:

Although spot fires have occurred across Strayhorse Creek, aircraft were used to limit any further spread. If fire becomes established in Strayhorse Canyon, it may prompt the need to conduct burnout operations to remove excess fuel in the path of the advancing fire.

Inciweb still lists this fire as 40% contained, however I also found this update from 3 weeks ago:

"Highway 191, which was previously closed for public and firefighter safety, has reopened. The temporary area closure around the fire remains in effect for the protection of public health and safety."

To the extent I can determine, the last intense spot of fire was extinguished 13 days ago (July 15th), and the smoke monitoring satellite doesn't show anything registering in the area for the last 3 days. I am hoping this means it is actually put out and inciweb is just out of date.

I suspect "area...around the fire" includes only selective trails such as the eastern Strayhorse trail and a few others in the area. I am hoping this means that other trails not directly within the fire perimeter, such as the Blue River Trail are open, but if anyone can provide definitive information it would be appreciated.

McKittrick was open with no smoke to speak of on 7/3 when I hiked it. At the time 191 south of the McKittrick turnoff was closed. I believe it opened 7/6 or 7/7.

@nonot

I am hoping this means it is actually put out and inciweb is just out of date.

On the same inciweb page, it also stated that it was no longer gong to do any further updating of the page, once it hit that 40 percent mark. I feel like I watched the last bit of smoke smolder out when I was there a week, or so ago. I was able to drive freely to Strayhorse with no road closure interruptions. When I was there, Raspberry Trail to Strayhorse was closed in terms of upper trails.