Photo: Donovan Suko and Katie Jones from Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest cleaning campfire ring at McMillan Campground.

Silver City, NM June 25, 2014--Even though a good percentage of the forest fires on the Gila National Forest are caused by lightning, human caused fires are on the rise. Of the 26 fires detected this fire season, 10 have been human caused. The 5484 acre Signal Fire was the largest human caused fire of the year.

In an effort to decrease the number of fires and decrease the potential for human caused fires, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions have been in place on the Gila National Forest since the 22nd of April. Stage 1 Fire Restrictions require: campfires be restricted only to developed recreation areas and in Forest Service provided metal fire rings, grills, or stoves, smoking only in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material, and fireworks of any kind are ALWAYS prohibited on federal lands.

To help the public understand and enforce these fire restrictions, fire prevention specialists have been visiting recreation areas and talking to visitors about the existing high fire potential. Hot and dry drought conditions persist on the Gila National Forest and these conditions are predicted to last till the monsoonal rains begin.

In addition to local firefighting personnel, the Gila National Forest is hosting wildland firefighters from the Northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest regions to assist in firefighting and fire prevention activities.

A four person wildland fire engine crew from the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in Montana arrived on Saturday. This is the third rotation of crews from the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest with the wildland fire engine. The first engine crew arrived in mid May. These crews are assisting Gila National Forest Fire Prevention Specialist, Ellen Brown, with fire prevention duties. The crew is visiting all recreation areas and discussing with visitors the importance of safe campfire practices where campfires are allowed and reminding them of the high forest fire potential.

"This is great opportunity for us to come to New Mexico and see the cultural differences on how fire is managed here compared to Montana," says Donovan Suko, crew boss of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest crew.

The Gila National Forest has been working closely with these other National Forest regions to exchange firefighters for over 20 years. At this time of year fire crews in the northwestern part of the country are usually not as busy as the ones here in the southwest are with fire activity. "It gives us a resource of firefighters to help assist our local fire personnel when we are stretched thin" says Fire Staff Officer, Gabe Holguin. A similar exchange occurs later in the season, as the northwest heats up and fire activity escalates, southwest firefighters travel north to help out on those forests. Holguin further adds, "This exchange is beneficial to both areas as firefighters get a chance to see and learn about fire activity in two different fire environments."

Forest visitors are reminded to be careful with campfires where they are allowed and make sure that campfires are fully extinguished. Fire danger is at "Very High".

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: If you are planning to visit the Forest, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect. Additional closures are still are in effect in several areas; please go to the Gila National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/gila for current information or contact the Forest directly at 575-388-8201.

 

Content on the Beat

WARNING: All articles and photos with a byline or photo credit are copyrighted to the author or photographer. You may not use any information found within the articles without asking permission AND giving attribution to the source. Photos can be requested and may incur a nominal fee for use personally or commercially.

Disclaimer: If you find errors in articles not written by the Beat team but sent to us from other content providers, please contact the writer, not the Beat. For example, obituaries are always provided by the funeral home or a family member. We can fix errors, but please give details on where the error is so we can find it. News releases from government and non-profit entities are posted generally without change, except for legal notices, which incur a small charge.

NOTE: If an article does not have a byline, it was written by someone not affiliated with the Beat and then sent to the Beat for posting.

Images: We have received complaints about large images blocking parts of other articles. If you encounter this problem, click on the title of the article you want to read and it will take you to that article's page, which shows only that article without any intruders. 

New Columnists: The Beat continues to bring you new columnists. And check out the old faithfuls who continue to provide content.

Newsletter: If you opt in to the Join GCB Three Times Weekly Updates option above this to the right, you will be subscribed to email notifications with links to recently posted articles.

Submitting to the Beat

Those new to providing news releases to the Beat are asked to please check out submission guidelines at https://www.grantcountybeat.com/about/submissions. They are for your information to make life easier on the readers, as well as for the editor.

Advertising: Don't forget to tell advertisers that you saw their ads on the Beat.

Classifieds: We have changed Classifieds to a simpler option. Check periodically to see if any new ones have popped up. Send your information to editor@grantcountybeat.com and we will post it as soon as we can. Instructions and prices are on the page.

Editor's Notes

It has come to this editor's attention that people are sending information to the Grant County Beat Facebook page. Please be aware that the editor does not regularly monitor the page. If you have items you want to send to the editor, please send them to editor@grantcountybeat.com. Thanks!

Here for YOU: Consider the Beat your DAILY newspaper for up-to-date information about Grant County. It's at your fingertips! One Click to Local News. Thanks for your support for and your readership of Grant County's online news source—www.grantcountybeat.com

Feel free to notify editor@grantcountybeat.com if you notice any technical problems on the site. Your convenience is my desire for the Beat.  The Beat totally appreciates its readers and subscribers!  

Compliance: Because you are an esteemed member of The Grant County Beat readership, be assured that we at the Beat continue to do everything we can to be in full compliance with GDPR and pertinent US law, so that the information you have chosen to give to us cannot be compromised.