Antone Fire containment lines hold through wind event

SILVER CITY, NM, June 15, 2024 – All containment lines held through Friday’s forecast of thunderstorms and gusty winds. For the next couple of days, firefighters will focus on securing the northern perimeter of the fire. Crews will continue to patrol the eastern section while on the southern side, they will complete mop-up and prepare for chipping. The Antone Fire is at 12,397 acres and 50 percent completed. There are 138 personnel assigned to the incident.

When the winds align with the terrain, expect to see some increase of smoke as the fire is moving through available unburned pockets of fuel in the fire’s interior. This will occur as the forecast predicts northerly winds of 5 to 12 mph with gusts of 15 to 20 mph and above average temperatures.  

The type 3 team continues to manage the fire using the confine and contain strategy, which involves the interchangeable usage of direct and indirect suppression and point protection tactics. This strategy is subject to change based on evolving conditions. The management objectives include fire fighter safety, protecting values at risk, reduce fuel loads, improve habitat and the continuation of restoration work in the Slaughter Mesa area. News releases will be provided every other day or if there are significant updates.

Closure Order No. 03-06-03-24-001 is in effect until rescinded. Review the closure order map, marked Exhibit A. Both documents can be found on the Gila National Forest Alerts and Closures webpage at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/gila/alerts-notices

Smoke may be seen from US Highway 60, NM Highway 12, the Community of Quemado, Quemado Lake Estates, Pie Town, Datil, Horse Springs, Apache Creek, and Reserve. View an interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/. Learn more about smoke impacts at https://www.env.nm.gov/air-quality/fire-smoke-links/.

For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or Maribeth.Pecotte@usda.gov.

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