Silver City, NM, June 18, 2017- Fire activity on the Gila National Forest has been low to moderate. We have lightning-caused fires that are being managed for a variety of resource benefits - to include fuel reduction, watershed restoration, wildlife habitat restoration and forest health.

The Gila NF will be sending out Air Quality Reports to better inform the public. These reports will also be on Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/unit/3178/ and will be attached to the Corral, Round and Straw Fires.

There has been heavy smoke on NM Hwy 15 and the forest is recommending extreme caution in smoky areas. Forest Service Road 150 is open to the public and traffic may be heavier than usual, so please exercise caution and yield to fire vehicles.

Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health website at https://nmtracking.org/fire .

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila