Silver City, NM; July 22, 2016

The Gila National Forest, Silver City District is rescinding portions of the Silver and Signal Fire Emergency Road and Trails Closure Order (O#: 06-349) effective Monday, July 25, 2016. The Silver portion of the closure remains in effect in its entirety. The entire closure order can be found at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/gila/alerts-notices/?aid=25954 

The areas to be open were initially closed due to hazardous trees, dangerous falling rocks, flooding and debris on roads and trails from the Signal fire in 2014.

In a burned area, fires weaken and kill trees. They can easily fall from weakened root systems. Rolling rocks are a hazard as rain or snowmelt loosens soil and vegetation that may be holding them along slopes. Tree roots and stumps can be dangerous as the only evidence may be a thin layer of ash or soil. Unsuspecting visitors can step on one and end up with their foot and leg in a deep hole.

These hazards have been mitigated along roads and trails within the closure. Hazard trees have been dropped, along these corridors only. However, people need to be aware hazards may exist within the interior burn scar.

Visitors should be aware of weather changes that may affect road conditions as well as limited visibility due to dust.

The roads and trails to be opened are:
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