Silver Fire Receives Precipitation - 21,789 acres

For Immediate Release 

 Contact: Fire Information 575-536-3382

June 15, 2013, 10:30 a.m. 575-536-3285

SILVER FIRE RECEIVES PRECIPITATION

SAN LORENZO, N.M. – Small amounts of rain fell on the north and south side of the fire yesterday moderating fire activity. Firefighters expect the same weather patterns today which will continue to be favorable to suppression efforts. The fire is now at 21,789 acres.

The Northern Arizona Incident Management Team is hosting Congressman Steve Pearce, staff and his guests at the Silver Fire. A tour and briefing are planned at the Incident Command Post in San Lorenzo, N.M.

There are 552 firefighters working the fire which include five helicopters, eight 20-person hotshot crews, five 20-person hand crews, 16 engines, two dozers and 11 water tenders.

A public meeting will be held in Silver City today, Saturday, at 6 p.m. at the Grant County Administration Building located at 1400 US Highway 180 East. Additional meetings are held each morning at the Hillsboro Community Center at 10 a.m.

Gila National Forest officials want to remind the general public that the forest is open except in the restricted fire area.

Several agencies are assisting with the Silver Fire, they include the Grant and Sierra County Sheriff’s Departments, NM State Police, Las Cruces BLM District, NM State Forestry and NM Department of Transportation.

To ensure public safety, the Aldo Leopold Wilderness has been closed east of NM State Highway 152 from the Continental Divide National ScenicTrail #74 south to Reeds Peak. NM State Highway 152 from San Lorenzo to Hillsboro remains closed. The road closure is for east and westbound traffic from 35 miles east of Bayard at mile marker 16 to 10 miles west of Hillsboro at mile marker 40. Trail #79 and the Royal John Mine Road are also closed for public safety. For more information see http://fs.usda.gov/gila or www.nmroads.com.

Silver Fire updates can be found on Inciweb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3414. For additional fire information visit the following websites: www.facebook.com/SilverFireNM, www.flickr.com/gilaforest, www.twitter.com/SilverFireNM.

Map [PDF]

Silver Fire June 14 Morning News Release - 21,400 acres

Silver Fire June 14 Morning News Release

Incident: Silver Fire Wildfire
Released: 8:00 a.m.

The Silver Fire is presently 21,400 acres. Firefighters continue to focus on protection of the Kingston and Royal John Mine area as well construction of fire lines. Incident Commander Curtis Heaton said, “We have a good plan but it will take time to contain the fire. Steep rugged terrain, heavy fuel load and warm, windy weather will continue to challenge firefighters.” Citizens can learn more about how the Northern Arizona Team is managing the fire by attending scheduled public meetings.

Public meetings will be held for Mimbres and Silver City. The Mimbres meeting is today, Friday, at 6 p.m. at the Roundup Lodge on Acklin Hill Road in San Lorenzo. The Silver City meeting will be at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Grant County Administration Building located at 1400 US Highway 180 East in Silver City. Additional meetings are held each morning at the Hillsboro Community Center at 10 a.m.

Gila National Forest officials want to remind the general public that the forest is open to all activities except in the restricted fire area.

To ensure public safety, the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Area has been closed east of NM State Highway 152 from the Continental Divide Trail #74 south to Reeds Peak. NM State Highway 152 from San Lorenzo to Hillsboro remains closed. The road closure is for east and westbound traffic from 35 miles east of Bayard at mile marker 16 to 10 miles west of Hillsboro at mile marker 40. Trail #79 and the Royal John Road are also closed for public safety. For more information see http://fs.usda.gov/gila or www.nmroads.com.

Silver Fire Public Meetings Scheduled for Mimbres and Silver City

For Immediate Release 

Contact: Fire Information 575-536-3382
June 13, 2013, 8:30 p.m. 575-536-3285

Public Meetings Scheduled for Mimbres and Silver City

SAN LORENZO, NM – Public meetings are scheduled for Mimbres and Silver City to provide current information on the Silver Fire to local communities. The Mimbres meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at the Roundup Lodge on Acklin Hill Road in San Lorenzo. The Silver City meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Saturday at the Grant County Administration Building located at 1400 US Highway 180 East in Silver City. Additional meetings will be held each morning at the Hillsboro Community Center at 10 a.m.

Firefighters continue to make progress on indirect fire line construction and structure protection around Kingston and the Royal John Mine area. The fire remains active with additional growth. A mandatory evacuation remains in effect for Kingston.

Firefighting resources include five helicopters, eight hotshot crews, four 20-person crews, 14 engines, 11water tenders and two dozers.

To ensure public safety, the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Area has been closed east of NM State Highway 152 from the Continental Divide Trail #74 south to Reeds Peak. NM State Highway 152 from San Lorenzo to Hillsboro remains closed. The road closure is for east and westbound traffic from 35 miles east of Bayard at mile marker 16 to 10 miles west of Hillsboro at mile marker 40. Trail #79 and the Royal John Road are also closed for public safety. For more information see http://fs.usda.gov/gila or www.nmroads.com.

Silver Fire updates can be found on Inciweb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3414.

For additional fire information visit the following websites:

www.facebook.com/SilverFireNM
www.flickr.com/gilaforest
www.twitter.com/SilverFireNM

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Silver Fire Behavior Moderates Overnight

For Immediate Release
June 13, 2013 – 8:00 a.m.
Contact: Fire Information 575-536-3382 575-536-3285

Fire Behavior Moderates Overnight

SILVER CITY, NM. – Fire behavior decreased overnight as a result of higher humidity and cooler temperatures from thunderstorms passing to the south of the fire. The Silver Fire has grown to 18,800 acres and is zero percent contained. Storms remain in the area today bringing gusty, erratic winds with the possibility of dry lightning further challenging firefighting efforts. As a result, expect the fire to remain active.

Winds today will be predominantly out of the southeast which will push smoke into the Mimbres Valley including the Royal John Mine area. Smoke may also be visible from Hillsboro and surrounding communities.

Public meetings are scheduled for Mimbres Valley and Silver City. The Mimbres meeting will be at 6 p.m. Friday at the Roundup Lodge on Acklin Hill Road in San Lorenzo. The Silver City meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Saturday at the Grant County Administration Building, located at 1400 U.S. Highway 180 East in Silver City. Additional public information meetings are being held each morning at the Hillsboro Community Center at 10 a.m.

To ensure public safety, the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Area has been closed east of NM State Highway 152 from the Continental Divide Trail #74 south to Reeds Peak. NM State Highway 152 from San Lorenzo to Hillsboro remains closed. The road closure is for east and westbound traffic from 35 miles east of Bayard at mile marker 16 to 10 miles west of Hillsboro at mile marker 40. Trail #79 and the Royal John Road are also closed for public safety. For more information see http://fs.usda.gov/gila or www.nmroads.com. Although these closures are in place, the rest of the Gila National Forest remains open for recreation.

Although there are other fires burning in New Mexico and Colorado, the Northern Arizona Incident Management Team has adequate firefighting resources on hand to conduct suppression activities according to their plan.

Map (PDF)

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Silver Fire - 6:30 p.m. update: 17,000 acres

Silver Fire - 6:30 p.m. update: The Silver Fire has grown to 17,000 acres generally burning toward the southwest. The fire has approached the community of Kingston, NM and crews remain present to continue structure protection This evening they will be conducting a small burnout operation to help protect the community. Crews continue to build indirect line around other portions of the fire as well.

The Silver Fire is located on the Gila National Forest, east of Silver City, just west of the community of Kingston, NM. The fire is growing generally eastward.

An evacuation order is in place for Kingston as of June 10 at 1:40 a.m.

Highway 152 is closed through the Black Range, from San Lorenzo to Hillsboro. There is no estimate of reopening at this time.

The Royal John Road is closed to the public, but residents are being allowed access at this time.

The Silver Fire was started by lightning on June 7 approximately 7 miles southwest of Kingston, New Mexico. Smoke is visible from Highway 152 and Silver City, as well as Interstate 10 near Deming, NM.

Firefighters have been taking an active suppression approach since initial response to the Silver Fire. They are challenged by extremely rough terrain, a substantial amount of unburned fuel and beetle-killed trees, and extreme fire conditions. Firefighters are working on point protection around structures, roads and area campgrounds.

Follow the Silver Fire on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SilverFireNM and Twitter at www.twitter.com/SilverFireNM (@SilverFireNM).

Maps and Photos are available to view, download and print free on Flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/gilaforest/

Silver Fire update - 6700 acres estimated

Silver Fire June 6, 2013  approx. 9:00 a.m.

A Type 2 incident management team assumed control of the fire last night. Most of the fire's growth has been on the south side. It remained about 1.5 miles from Kingston.

An evacuation order was issued for Kingston Monday morning at 1:40 a.m., after the fire crossed a pre-established trigger point about 2.5 miles from Kingston. That order remains in place.

The latest fire size estimate is 6,700 acres.

Highway 152 is closed through the Black Range, from San Lorenzo to Hillsboro. There is no estimate of reopening at this time.

The Royal John Road is closed to the public, but residents are being allowed access at this time.

The Silver Fire was started by lightning on June 7 about 7 miles southwest of Kingston, New Mexico. Smoke is visible from Highway 152 and Silver City.

Firefighters are challenged by extremely rough terrain, a substantial amount of unburned fuel and beetle-killed trees, and extreme fire conditions. Firefighters are working on point protection around structures, roads and area campgrounds.

More than 100 people attended a community meeting in Hillsboro last night. Governor Susana Martinez attended the meeting and received a briefing from the incident commander and the Gila National Forest.

Silver Fire Update

Monday, June 10, 2013 – Fire Update 1:30 p.m.

Silver City Ranger District-
Silver Fire

This is a Full Suppression Fire. Detected 6/7/2013. 

Cause: Lightning. 

Acreage: 1526 acres. 

Containment: 0%

Fire managers continue to aggressively fight this fire. Given the rough terrain and the fact that this area has not seen fire in over 100 years managers continue to use precaution on their operational procedures. The fire spotted last night across Hwy 152 near Emory Pass but was quickly put out at that time.

Today’s operations are to continue to contain spot fires at the smallest possible size and begin building line at the heel of the fire. Firefighters will continue with structure protection in and around the town of Kingston. Arial attack will continue to play a big part in this fire. Additional resources continue to be ordered.

Reidy Northern Arizona Type II Incident Management Team will take over management of the fire tomorrow.

Mandatory Evacuation has been ordered for the town of Kingston New Mexico. Time of the Evacuation is 01:40am 6/10/13 until further notice. Evacuation center is located in the town of Hillsboro at the Community Center on Elenora Street. Fire spotted ahead of the fire forcing the evacuations to take place. Acreage: 1526

Public meeting: Public Meeting for the town of Hillsboro will be held today 6/10/13 at 7pm.at the Hillsboro Community Ctr. in the Town of Hillsboro located on Elenora Street.

CLOSURE: Hwy 152 from San Lorenzo to Hillsboro. New Mexico Highway 152 eastbound and westbound from 35 miles East of Bayard at mile marker 16 to 10 miles West of Hillsboro at mile marker 40 has been closed for the safety of the public and firefighters out on the fire. For more information: www.nmroads.com Trail #79 has also been closed.

Fire and Smoking Restrictions

The Gila National Forest is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Allowing campfires in designated developed campgrounds and picnic areas, which must be in a Forest Service provided grill or fire ring. Fires in rock rings will not be allowed. The use of 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.






For more information about the Silver Fire call: (575)388-8363 or go to www.inciweb.org







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Silver Fire update - Kingston, NM evacuated

Monday, June 10, 2013 – Fire Update 8 a.m.
Silver City Ranger District-
Silver Fire 

A mandatory evacuation was ordered for Kingston, New Mexico last night at 1:40 a.m. The evacuation center is located in the town of Hillsboro at the Community Center on Elenora Street. The fire spotted more than a mile ahead of the main fire forcing the evacuations to take place. Acreage: 1,526

Fire managers continue to aggressively fight this fire. Given the extreme conditions and current weather forecast the Silver Fire has the potential to grow.

Public meeting: Public Meeting for the town of Hillsboro is being planned for today June 10, 2013 at 7p.m.at the Hillsboro Community Ctr. in the Town of Hillsboro located on Elenora Street.

Additional resources have been ordered.

CLOSURE: Hwy 152 from San Lorenzo to Hillsboro. New Mexico Highway 152 eastbound and westbound from 35 miles East of Bayard at mile marker 16 to 10 miles West of Hillsboro at mile marker 40 has been closed for the safety of the public and firefighters out on the fire. For more information: www.nmroads.com Trail #79 has also been closed.

Fire and Smoking Restrictions

The Gila National Forest is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Allowing campfires in designated developed campgrounds and picnic areas, which must be in a Forest Service provided grill or fire ring. Fires in rock rings will not be allowed. The use of 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.

Silver Fire update & pre-evacuation for Kingston

Sunday, June 9, 2013 – Fire Update 8 p.m.

Update Source:  David Boyd, BLM.gov

Silver City Ranger District-

Silver Fire: Pre- Evacuation has been ordered for the town of Kingston New Mexico. Fire officials have advised that the fire is approximately 5 air miles from the town of Kingston. New Mexico Highway 152 eastbound and westbound from 35 miles East of Bayard at mile marker 16 to 10 miles West of Hillsboro at mile marker 40 has been closed for the safety of the public and firefighters. Acreage: 1,000

Fire managers continue to aggressively fight this fire. Given the extreme conditions and current weather forecast the Silver Fire has the potential to grow.

Public meeting for the town of Hillsboro is being planned for tomorrow (6/10/13) more information to follow.

Additional resources have been ordered.

Other wildfires on the Gila National Forest:

The 73-acre Indian Fire is 10 miles north of the Gila Cliff Dwellings. The lightning-ignited fire did not grow today and is 25 percent contained. Eight smokejumpers continue to work the fire, which is not expected to grow further.

The 80-acre Papoose Fire is 11 miles north of the Gila Cliff Dwellings. This lightning-ignited fire also did not grow today and is not expected to grow further. It is 25 percent contained, and 12 smokejumpers continue to mop-up.

CLOSURE: Hwy 152 from San Lorenzo to Hillsboro. Trail #79 has also been closed. For more information: www.nmroads.com

Fire and Smoking Restrictions
The Gila National Forest is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Allowing campfires in designated developed campgrounds and picnic areas, which must be in a Forest Service provided grill or fire ring. Fires in rock rings will not be allowed. The use of 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.

For more information about the Silver Fire call: (575)388-8363 or go to www.inciweb.org



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