Silver City, NM, June 18, 2018—The Gila National Forest is rescinding the order for Stage 2 Fire Restrictions and moving to Stage 1 Fire Restrictions effective immediately. In addition, Fire Danger has been modified down to Very High from Extreme.

Campfire and smoking restrictions will be re-implemented on the Gila National Forest in order to protect public health and reduce preventable human-caused fires. “Some rain has fallen on the 3.3 million acres that comprise the Gila National Forest, and for the most part forest visitors have been diligent with the campfire safety and taking care not to spark a human-caused fire,” states Adam Mendonca, Forest Supervisor, “but we feel it’s critical to continue with precautions 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                                                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