Firefighters shift to suppression repair work on Antone Fire

SILVER CITY, NM, June 17, 2024 – Firefighters are working on suppression repair work, which involves a series of actions taken to mitigate impacts caused by firefighting activities. Firefighters completed chipping slash along the entire perimeter and will be mitigating fire-weakened trees along roads, fence lines, and trails. Additionally, road maintenance will continue on County Road 13. The Antone Fire is at 12,396 acres and 60 percent completed. There are 72 personnel supporting the incident.

Fire movement will depend on wind alignment with the terrain and the availability of unburned pockets of fuel. This may cause fluctuations in the amount of smoke visible in the immediate area. Weather is predicted to bring back dry conditions with no moisture, single-digit relative humidity, and light winds for the next couple of days.

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Closure Order No. 03-06-03-24-001 is in effect until rescinded.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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