Lightning and erratic winds were expected from thunderstorms this afternoon. No update since.

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 PUBLIC MEETINGS:

Friday (June 14) at 6 p.m.

Mimbres Valley Roundup Lodge

94 Acklin Road

San Lorenzo, New Mexico

Saturday (June 15) at 6 p.m.

Grant County Administration Building

1400 Hwy 180 East

Silver City, New Mexico

Daily until further notice - 10 a.m.

Hillsboro Community Center

Basic Information
Incident Type    Wildfire
Cause    Lightning
Date of Origin    Friday June 07th, 2013 approx. 03:00 PM
Location    1/4 mile from Kingston, NM
Incident Commander    Matt Reidy
Current Situation
Total Personnel    478
Size    18,800 acres

Fuels Involved    
Pinyon pine/juniper, ponderosa

Fire Behavior    

Backing fire, single and group tree torching with passive short run crown fire in the mixed conifer; fire behavior was generally terrain and fuel driven.
Significant Events    

Focus is on point protection and structure protection in Kingston and other values at risk. Continued recon in all divisions to develop viable suppression strategies given the challenges with fuels and topography, with priority on providing for public and firefighter safety.

Outlook

Planned Actions    
For the upcoming operation period, crews will continue point protection and structure protection in and around Kingston along with other areas; Construct line on the east side of the fire, north and south of Highway 152. Continue scouting NW of the fire area.

Growth Potential    
Extreme

Terrain Difficulty    
Extreme