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Category: Local News Releases Local News Releases
Published: 25 June 2014 25 June 2014

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.