SILVER CITY, NM; April 17, 2016 - Silver City Ranger District fire managers plan to begin the Cameron Creek Prescribed Fire on the Gila National Forest Tuesday, April 19. The 2,100-acre project is approximately six miles north and east of Silver City within the Fort Bayard Wildlife Refuge.

A temporary area closure will go into effect Monday, April 18. The closure order and map are posted on the Gila National Forest website http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/gila/alerts-notices/?aid=33176 .

Smoke will be noticeable during days of ignitions and may impact the surrounding areas. All necessary steps will be taken in order to minimize smoke impacts to the public, firefighters and surrounding communities. These steps include monitoring air quality and maintaining contact with the New Mexico Air Quality Board.

Once the project begins, operations can involve hand and aerial ignitions and extend over several days as conditions allow. Fire managers follow a burn plan that outlines the GǣprescriptionGǥ or environmental conditions such as temperature, wind, fuel moisture, ventilation, and humidity that need to be met before the project begins.

The objectives of this project include reducing hazardous fuel accumulation, improving wildlife habitat and reintroducing fire into the ecosystem. The Cameron Creek Prescribed Fire is funded in part by the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish.

For more information, please contact Jesse Searles at 575-388-8412 or Punky Moore at 575-388-8211.