Silver City, NM; July 25, 2016 - For Immediate Release - The Black Range Complex Fires on the Black Range Ranger District consist of four fires: the Kline and Cooney Fires started July 8, the Corduroy Fire on July 17, and the Boiler Fire on July 18. These lightning-caused fires are located in the Black Range Mountains, 65 miles northwest of Truth or Consequences, NM. As these fires burn, pre-determined management areas have been designated for fire management. The Black Range Complex Fires are currently 10% contained. There are currently 86 fire personnel assigned.

Yesterday, Cooney and Kline Fire personnel assisted Forest Service Resource Advisors with rehabilitation inventories and continued recording fire behavior and effects for documentation. Crews on the Cooney Fire conducted trail rehabilitation along Wolf Hollow trail. The Boiler Fire remains in monitoring status. The Black Range Complex received an additional 1/10" of precipitation across the fires, accompanied by lightning. Fire personnel will continue to be removed from fire line operations for their safety when thunderstorms accompanied by lightning intensify over the fire area.

Today the Black Range Complex Fire will begin demobilizing fire line personnel. Dozer operations are being considered to do road repairs on FR 142C. The road was used heavily throughout the suppression and rehabilitation efforts during the incident. An aerial reconnaissance flight will occur today, weather permitting, to remove communication equipment from the fire line. Kline Fire personnel will continue to assist Forest Service Resource Advisors with rehabilitation inventories. The Boiler Fire remains in monitoring status.

The weather forecast for the Black Range Complex Fires today calls for additional isolated showers and thunderstorms continuing each afternoon and evening. Smoke conditions are very minimal within close proximity to fire perimeters. There have been no evacuations associated with the Black Range Complex.

All temporary Area Closure Orders have been lifted within the vicinity of the Blank Range Complex Fires. As conditions warrant, future closure orders could be reposted if additional fire activities increase within the Black Range Complex management area.

For more information, please contact the Fire Information Line at: (575) 772-5747 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. located at the Incident Command Post at Beaverhead Work Center or visit the New Mexico Fire Information website at www.nmfireinfo.com; and http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/. Also, you can find additional information at https://www.facebook.com/GilaNForest, and http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila Twitter: @gilanforest.