Gila National Forest moves from Stage 2 Fire Restrictions back to Stage 1 Fire Restrictions effective immediately

Silver City, NM, June 18, 2018—For Immediate Release.  The Gila National Forest is rescinding the order for Stage 2 Fire Restrictions and moving to Stage 1 Fire Restrictions effective immediately. In addition, Fire Danger has been modified down to Very High from Extreme.

Campfire and smoking restrictions will be re-implemented on the Gila National Forest in order to protect public health and reduce preventable human-caused fires. “Some rain has fallen on the 3.3 million acres that comprise the Gila National Forest, and for the most part forest visitors have been diligent with the campfire safety and taking care not to spark a human-caused fire,” states Adam Mendonca, Forest Supervisor, “but we feel it’s critical to continue with precautions to reduce the potential for any additional fire starts during this period of drought and high fire danger.”

Fire restrictions for the Gila National Forest include allowing campfires only in designated developed campgrounds and picnic areas, and must be in a Forest Service provided metal grill or metal fire pits.  Fires in rock rings will not be allowed.  The use of pressurized, petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices are acceptable, provided they meet the fire underwriter’s specifications for safety.  Smoking is limited to a vehicle, building, or 3-foot area cleared of all flammable materials.  Fireworks, explosives and incendiary devices are always prohibited on National Forest System lands. 

Criteria used to determine when to implement fire restrictions include current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels and available firefighting resources. Fire restrictions will remain in effect until the forest receives significant precipitation.

The following campgrounds and picnic areas have been designated for campfire use:

Kingston                                   Wolf Hollow Canyon                  Juniper                                     Piñon                                         El Caso I-III                                   El Caso Throwdown                   Head of the Ditch                    Armijo                                           Big Horn                                   Cottonwood                              Pueblo Park                                 Grapevine                                 Lower Scorpion                       Forks                                              Upper Scorpion                         Sapillo                                        Upper End                                    Mesa                                            Lake Roberts Picnic Area      Apache Creek                                Snow Lake/Dipping Vat        Iron Creek                                Little Walnut Picnic Areas         Gomez Peak Group Area           Cherry Creek                            McMillan                                   Upper Gallinas                           Railroad Canyon                        Whitewater Picnic Area – metal pedestal grills only

Please contact Ellen Brown, Fire Prevention Officer at (575)388-8201 or the individual ranger districts between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. for further details regarding campgrounds and fire restrictions.

Black Range Ranger District (575) 894-6677                        Reserve Ranger District (575)533-6232

Glenwood Ranger District (575) 539-2481                             Quemado Ranger District (575)733-4678

Wilderness Ranger District (575) 536-2250                           Silver City Ranger District (575)388-8201

 For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila or join the conversation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GilaNForest/ or follow us on Twitter @GilaNForest.