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News Update 6/12 PM (Thompson Ridge Fire Wildfire)

Acres: 22,900 Start date: May 31, 2013 Cause: Downed powerline Location: Valles Caldera National Preserve, NM Containment: 60 percent Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine Terrain: Steep, rugged Resources: 16 crews, 42 engines, 33 water tenders, 5 dozers Total personnel: 885 Available air support: 3 air tankers, 6 helicopters Weather so often dictates what we do and how we do it. Today through the morning hours we received a nice cover of clouds, which helped to moderate our fire behavior. The columns and runs that were expected to start early did not materialize. Because of these factors aerial ignition operations began on the southwest side of Redondo Peak at about 3 p.m. The firing operation was essential to closing the fireline because the area where the fire was backing down the mountain was too dangerous for direct attack due to steep slopes, dense fuels and lack of escape routes and safety zones. We delayed action until the possibility of a crown fire run was minimal. The...