Silver City, NM; July 12, 2016 - For Immediate Release-The Black Fire, a lightning strike ignited fire located on the southern slope of Black Peak on the Silver City Ranger District, is currently at 167 acres and is being fully suppressed by 95 fire personnel and multiple aviation resources. The Silver City Interagency Hotshots and Silver City Ranger District fire personnel worked yesterday and through the night to successful slow forward movement of this fire towards private land inholdings and electronic sites on Black Peak. Fresh incoming firefighters will be continuing line construction and fortification of existing defenses. Resources contributing to the suppression effort include:
- 3 National Interagency Hotshot Crews
- 1 20 person handcrew
- 1 10 person rapid initial attack crew
- 1 Type 6 Engine
- 3 Single Engine Air Tankers
- 3 Type 2 Air Tankers
- 1 Type 1 Air Tanker
- 1 Medium helicopte
- 1 Heavy helicopter
The Black Fire is the result of a "hold over" or "sleeper" tree that was struck by lightning during a lightning storm last Saturday, during which the area received .22 inches of precipitation over the previous 24 hour period. "It is not uncommon to see these types of fires during this time of year," stated Diane Taliaferro, Silver City District Ranger, "they become visible once the fire inside the tree moves from a smoldering state to a flaming state." Often these types of fire can stay hidden for longer amounts of time depending on the quantity of moisture that comes with the storm. Warming temperatures, sun exposure and an increase in wind usually bring these hold-over fires out to visibility. Fire information boards will be placed at the Gila National Forest Supervisors' Office/Silver City Ranger District and Pinos Altos Volunteer Fire Department parking lot for 24 hour access.