SILVER CITY, N.M.; May 5, 2015 - Firefighters responded to two lightning sparked wildfires on the Gila National Forest over the weekend. The Elk Fire, 11 miles southwest of Quemado Lake, was contained at less than one acre and the School Fire on the Reserve Ranger District was contained at approximately three acres. Firefighters also assisted on the 420-acre Red Hill Fire 45 miles south of Animas, NM. To date, the largest wildfire on the forest was the 24-acre North Star on the Wilderness Ranger District in March.

Preparing for the wildfire season on the Gila National Forest involves hiring seasonal employees, completing training in the classroom and in the field, readying equipment, coordinating resources at the Silver City Interagency Dispatch Center and acquiring a contract helicopter. Training can include courses in fireline leadership, incident management, decision making and dispatching to name a few.

The Gila National Forest contracts a Type 3 helicopter for a little over 100 days during the season. The contract can be extended depending on the need and availability of the aircraft. The helicopter is used for operations such as initial attack, crew and equipment transport, large fire support, and aerial ignitions. The helicopter and helitack crew are positioned at the Grant County Airport where the Air Tanker Base, Cache, Smokejumpers and a Single Engine Air Tanker are also located. Over the past two weeks, employees participated in helicopter training operations in Silver City and Glenwood, NM, to increase their proficiency in managing external cargo loads with the aircraft.

The forecast shows a cooler than normal weather pattern through the weekend and then drying and warming some next week. Whatever the weather may bring, firefighters and the Silver City Interagency Dispatch Center will be ready to respond quickly to new fires on the forest.

For additional information, contact Gabe Holguin, Fire Staff Officer, 575-388-8233 or Sarah Doehring, Forest Aviation Officer at 575-388-8451.