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Category: Front Page News Front Page News
Published: 12 May 2014 12 May 2014

Photo by Mary Alice Murphy at about 11 a.m. this morning

PUBLIC NOTICE: A public meeting regarding the Signal Fire will be held tonight at 6:00 pm at the Grant County Convention Center in Silver City.

Start Date: May 5, 2014
Location: Signal Peak, Silver City Ranger District, Gila National Forest
Cause: Under investigation
Fuels: Mixed conifer, ponderosa pine
Size: Approximately 3,000 acres
Resources Committed: One Type I Hotshot Crew, Smoke Jumpers, 3 Heli-
tankers, 1 Type 2 Helicopter, and 3 Engines
Road Closures: Highway 15 from Ben Lilly Monument to the gravel pit near Wildhorse Mesa.

 

Summary: Crews continue to fight the Signal Fire, which started north of Signal Peak on the Silver City Ranger District, Gila National Forest. High winds drove the fire to burn approximately 3,000
acres. A Type I Hotshot Crew, along with Smoke Jumpers, 3 engines, 3 Type I Heli-tankers, and 1
Type 3 Helicopter are currently assigned to the fire with more resources being ordered. A Type II
Incident Management Team has also been ordered and will take command of the fire later today.

Private property in the vicinity of Signal Peak has been evacuated. Highway 15 has also been closed
from Ben Lilly Monument north to the Gravel Pit near Wildhorse Mesa.

Fire forces are employing full suppression tactics to contain and extinguish the blaze.

Forecasted weather for Monday May12, 2014 is calling for more favorable conditions for fire
fighters with winds in the 10 mph range.

Forest users are reminded the Gila National Forest is currently in Stage I Fire Restrictions.
Fires are currently allowed in developed campgrounds, in Forest Service provided metal rings.

From New Mexico State Forestry