[Editor's Note: Grant County had announced fire restrictions throughout the county. See http://www.grantcountybeat.com/community/legals/43936-grant-county-has-announced-fire-restrictions-beginning-immediately  ]

Silver City, NM, May 2, 2018—Campfire and smoking restrictions will be implemented at 12:00 a.m. on May 2 on the Gila National Forest in order to protect public health and reduce preventable human-caused fires. “Forest visitors have been diligent in putting out their campfires and taking care not to spark a human-caused fire,” states Adam Mendonca, Forest Supervisor, “but we feel it’s critical to reduce the potential for any additional fire starts during this period of drought and high fire danger.”

Fire restrictions for the Gila National Forest include allowing campfires only in designated developed campgrounds and picnic areas, and must be in a Forest Service provided metal grill or metal fire pits. Fires in rock rings will not be allowed. The use of pressurized, petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices are acceptable, provided they meet the fire underwriter’s specifications for safety. Smoking is limited to a vehicle, building, or 3-foot area cleared of all flammable materials. Fireworks, explosives and incendiary devices are always prohibited on National Forest System lands.

Criteria used to determine when to implement fire restrictions include current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels and available firefighting resources. Fire restrictions will remain in effect until the forest receives significant precipitation.

The following campgrounds and picnic areas have been designated for campfire use:

Kingston Wolf Hollow Canyon Juniper
Piñon El Caso I-III El Caso Throwdown
Head of the Ditch Armijo Big Horn
Cottonwood Pueblo Park Grapevine
Lower Scorpion Forks Upper Scorpion
Sapillo Upper End Mesa
Lake Roberts Picnic Area Apache Creek Willow Creek
Ben Lilly Snow Lake/Dipping Vat Iron Creek
Little Walnut Picnic Areas Gomez Peak Group Area Cherry Creek
McMillan Upper Gallinas Railroad Canyon
Whitewater Picnic Area – metal pedestal grills only

Please contact Ellen Brown, Fire Prevention Officer at (575)388-8201 or the individual ranger districts between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. for further details regarding campgrounds and fire restrictions.

Black Range Ranger District (575) 894-6677 Reserve Ranger District (575)533-6232
Glenwood Ranger District (575) 539-2481 Quemado Ranger District (575)733-4678
Wilderness Ranger District (575) 536-2250 Silver City Ranger District (575)388-8201

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