Capitan Gap fire

The Capitan Gap Fire was a human-caused forest fire that broke out in Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico in the Capitan mountain range in 1950.

Related Topics:
Forest fire - Lincoln National Forest - New Mexico - Capitan mountain range - 1950

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This fire devastated 17,000 acres (69 km²).

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While a 24-man firefighting crew desperately dug firebreaks the wind shifted, and the fire jumped the line. The men buried themselves in the earth of a recent landslide, and survived the fire.

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On the up-side, a bear cub who the men had seen ducking in and out of the forest earlier survived the fire by climbing a tree and hanging onto the windward side with only singes and other survivable injuries. He was rescued by the firefighters and named Hotfoot, before filling the role of Smokey Bear.

Related Topics:
Bear - Smokey Bear

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