Fire Information: (575) 388-8300

Acres: 5,740 Start Date: May 11, 2014
Cause: Human Location: 10 miles north of Silver City, NM
Containment: 60% Fuels/Topography: Timber, grass/rugged terrain
Total personnel: 706

Today's Actions: Crews today continued their significant progress mopping up and patrolling existing fire lines while being supported by air resources. This was reflected in an increase in containment to 60%. With the weather much drier and conditions unstable, the likelihood of ignition if a spark landed in dry grass was 100%. The increased warmer temperatures, low humidity and wind resulted in an increase in fire behavior with more aggressive burning as the day progressed. Fire managers are concerned that fuels remaining inside the fire perimeter and the winds anticipated during the next five days could create the risk of spot fires outside existing lines. Crews have been identified and prepositioned, as a contingency plan, along the Mimbres Valley area to provide initial attack if needed. Residents may see an increase in resources in these areas. An information booth was staffed at San Lorenzo in the Mimbres Valley today to answer questions about the fire's progress.

Weather: A period of critical fire weather began yesterday and will continue for the next five days. Temperatures and winds will rise again tomorrow. Additional smoke from the Skunk Fire in Arizona may also make its way to this area from the West. Smoke will likely be present in the Mimbres Valley again tomorrow.

Silver City, Pinos Altos, Gila Cliff Dwellings and local special events are NOT being impacted by the Signal Fire.

Information for this fire, including maps and photos, can be found at:
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3864/
http://nmfireinfo.com
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