Area Closure in Wallow Fire Burned Area within NM
Remains In Effect Due to Safety Concerns
Silver City, NM; August 8, 2011—Due to unsafe conditions within the Wallow Fire burned area located on the Quemado Ranger District of the Gila National Forest, the temporary closure of the 15,789 acres that were affected will remain closed due to public health and safety concerns. “Our number one priority is managing the burned area to maximize human safety by removing existing hazards and then begin to reopen areas for public re-entry,” says Quemado District Ranger Janice Stevenson. The Head of the Ditch Campground located within the closure area also remains closed due to the heightened potential for flooding as a result of the fire; all other areas on the Forest are open.
Forest personnel have been cutting dead trees located adjacent to roads that could easily fall and injure forest users. Areas within the fire that burned very hot are being aerially seeded to expedite the establishment of vegetation which serves to stabilize the soil, reduce soil erosion, and reduce the potential for future flooding. Dozer lines have been reshaped, water barred, and seeded. Straw mulch has also been applied to steep sections of dozer lines to reduce erosion potential.
Some areas with severe fire damage may have to remain closed for some time as it will take longer to restore these areas and remove safety hazards.
The burned area has been closed since June 10, 2011; length of the closure is dependent upon several criteria including public safety and protection of forest resources (i.e. soils, vegetation, water quality, wildlife, fisheries, recreation, heritage, etc.).
The closure area is located in the vicinity of Luna, N.M. and extends north and west to the Arizona state line. A detailed description of the closure area is included in the closure order posted on the ground in the vicinity of the burned area, available from Ranger District offices, and posted on the Gila National Forest website www.fs.usda.gov/gila.
Further information may be obtained by contacting the Quemado Ranger District at 575.773.4678.
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