Foe Immediate Release
Contact: Fire
Information
May 27, 2012, 5:00 PM
Karl Pierce
915-828-3251 Ext. 2300
EL CAPITAN FIRE UPDATE
Fire Name: El Capitan Fire
Agency: The fire started and is burning on National Park Service lands and
is within the Guadalupe Mountains National Park Boundary.
Detected: May 26, 2012 Location: 3 miles
southwest of Pine Springs, TX.
Cause: Lightning Fuels: Light, flashy
fuels with brush component
Size: Approximately 50 acres % Contained: 0%
Estimated Containment: June 1, 2012 at 6 p.m.
Summary: The fire is in burning in steep, treacherous terrain and crews
have had to hike to the fire. The fire is on the west side of El Capitan
Peak where hot, dry, windy conditions have driven the fire to the east. Due
to high winds around the peak heavy air tankers have not been able to
assist with the fire at this time. Additional ground resources have been
ordered and are starting to arrive. Currently no structures are threatened,
however that could change if the winds increase and push the fire over the
ridge or around El Capitan.
Current Closures: Guadalupe Peak Trail, Devils Hall Trail, Guadalupe Peak,
El Capitan, Salt Basin, Salt Basin Overlook Trail, Williams Ranch Road,
Guadalupe Peak Backcountry Campground.
The Pine Springs Visitor Center is open daily from 8:00 AM until 6:00 PM.
All firefighting operations are executed under very strict safety
guidelines to ensure firefighter AND public safety.
Resources Committed/Ordered: The following resources are currently assigned
or ordered for the fire: PEZ Type 3 IMT overhead, 1 Type 3 helicopter, 2
Type 1 Crews
Cooperating Agencies: Eddy County (Rural and Volunteer Fire Departments),
Texas Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Indian Affairs..
--NPS--
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