Black Fire Update for May 15, 2022

Location of origin: north of Black Canyon, west of Forest Road 150, 24 miles north of Mimbres

Start Date: May 13, 2022 at 9:30 p.m.

Size: 1,174

Percent Contained: 0%

Cause: Undetermined

Resources Assigned: 121 personnel – 4 crews, 2 helicopters, 7 engines, 1 water tender

Closures: USFS Trail 708, 713, 716, Forest Road 150 between Meason Park to the intersection of 150 and Diamond Creek.

Firefighters will experience the hottest weather of the season today with temperatures reaching 90-degrees. Winds are expected to be a sustained 21 mph with gusts of 31 mph.

With these weather conditions and exceptionally dry conditions, active burning is expected today on the Black Fire in the Gila National Forest. The fire, which was discovered Friday evening, has grown to 1,147 acres. It is located off Forest Service Road 150, north of Black Canyon, west of the Meown Work Center, and 24 miles north of Mimbres. The cause is under investigation.

Today a Type 3 team began managing the firefighting operations. More than 120 fire personnel are working to contain the fire, which is currently at zero percent containment.

Fire managers are using a confine and contain strategy to corral the flames, using man-made and natural barriers to stop the fire and also taking steps to protect nearby private inholdings and infrastructure. This strategy has the highest probability of success while minimizing risk to firefighters.

Forest Road 150 is closed between Meason Park to the intersection of 150 and Diamond Creek.

The Black Fire is burning in timber, and tall grass. Above normal temperatures and critically low relative humidity are expected to continue through the weekend and into next week. There is little recovery of humidity at night, resulting in continued active burning overnight.

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