SILVER CITY, NM; May 24, 2016 - For Immediate Release - The Silver City Ranger District is keeping the Silver and Signal Fire closure order in effect this season due to health and safety concerns from hazard trees and lack of drainage features along the Signal Peak Road, Lockney Road and Continental Divide Trail. This spring, over 1,200 hazard trees were identified on the Signal Peak Road that have died and have to be removed before the order will be lifted. The Forest Order #06-349 is posted on the Gila National Forest website at http://tinyurl.com/grazy2p 

During the 2016 season, maintenance will be done on the upper portion of Signal Peak Road to remove hazard trees and other work will be performed on the lower portion. In the future, timber from the hazard tree removal will be available for the public to gather as fuelwood under a free use permit.

Hikers can access Signal Peak on the Signal Peak Trail #742 off Highway 15 and Black Peak via the Continental Divide Trail. Thru-hikers have the following options:

Northbound hikers:
At the junction of CDT and NM Hwy 15 (just prior (west) of the Arrastra Site), leave the CDNST and head north on NM 15. Travel 6.5 miles on the highway to FR149: Meadow Creek Rd. Continue east on FR149 for 3 miles to FR89. Follow FR89 E-SE for 1.3 miles to the junction of CDNST. Resume travel on CDT heading north. Total work around distance: 10.8 miles vs 14.2 miles omitted from CDNST travel.

Southbound hikers:
At the junction of CDT and FR89 where CDNST closure begins, turn west and follow FR89 for 1.3 miles to FR 149: Meadow Creek Rd. Continue south then west on FR149 for 3 miles to NM Hwy 15. Travel 6.5 miles south on the highway to the junction of the CDNST just west of the Arrastra Site (Lat/Long: 108-