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



--

UPDATE: Gila Cliff Dwellings Closure now only till in November

For Immediate Release
10/13/2011

UPDATE ON GILA CLIFF DWELLINGS CLOSURE AND TJ SITE TOURS

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument Superintendent Steve Riley announced today that the Cliff Dwellings Unit of the National Monument is now anticipated to be closed from October 24, 2011 until just before Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2011. The closure is due to major repairs scheduled for the West Fork Bridge on New Mexico Highway 15, one mile south of the Cliff Dwellings. The one-month closure will allow A.S. Horner, Incorporated of Albuquerque, under contract with the New Mexico Department of Transportation, to reconstruct the north approach of the bridge that was damaged by flooding in 2008 and 2010. After the road reopens, there may be brief closures of the roadway due to continued construction activities on the abutments on both ends of the bridge.

To allow visitors a unique experience during this closure, guided tours will be available at no cost at the TJ Site of the Monument. Tours of the TJ Site will provide visitors the opportunity to examine the above-ground evidence of an unexcavated, 200-room Classic Mimbres pueblo located just east of the Gila Visitor Center. The TJ Site is accessible ONLY by guided tour. Tours will be offered daily at 11 am and 2 pm. Tours are limited to 20 persons and take approximately 1 1/2 hours. 10 spaces on each tour may be reserved in advance by calling the Gila Visitor Center at 575-536-9461. Participants MUST be at the Gila Visitor Center by tour times.

Visitors should come dressed for winter weather, as the mesa top can be cold and windy, and wear sturdy hiking boots, as the ground is rough and can be muddy. Once NM Highway 15 reopens, TJ Site tours will no longer be offered. For up-to-date information please call the Gila Visitor Center at 575-536-9461 or visit the Monument’s web site at www.nps.gov/gicl.

To visit partially excavated Mimbres pueblos and gather more information on the Mimbres people, visit the Mimbres Cultural Heritage Site just off of New Mexico Highway 35 at mile 3.5, at 14 Sage Road. This site is open daily from 11 am to 3 pm and offers not only an interpretive walking tour through the prehistoric sites, but a chance to visit two late 19th century ranch houses and exhibits, some on loan from the Contact Station at the Cliff Dwellings trail head. Visit their web site at www.mimbresculturesite.com for additional information.

Throughout the road closure the Cliff Dwellings will be formally CLOSED for their protection and so that staff can be redirected to tours at the TJ Site. Persons entering the Cliff Dwellings at any time during this period are subject to ticketing and fines.