6:30 p.m. update: The Silver Fire has grown to 17,000 acres generally burning toward the southwest. The fire has approached the community of Kingston, NM and crews remain present to continue structure protection This evening they will be conducting a small burnout operation to help protect the community. Crews continue to build indirect line around other portions of the fire as well.

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 Mine 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/

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    350
Size    17,000 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

Current Weather
Temperature    94 degrees
Humidity    11%