Contractor to repair 14 miles of forest roads damaged by post-Black Fire flooding

SILVER CITY, NM, January 29, 2024 – A contractor began moving in equipment Monday, January 29, into the Chloride Canyon area of the Black Range Ranger District west of Chloride, New Mexico. Construction activities along the single-lane road will limit opportunities for through-traffic to pass. An alternate route is recommended.

“This popular route was severely damaged by flooding in 2022 after the Black Fire,” said Black Range District Ranger Bret Mellott. “We are not closing the road during its reconstruction; however, traffic may experience long periods of waiting before finding an opportunity to pass.”

The repair of 12 miles of Forest Road 226, (Chloride Canyon Road) from Chloride to Monument Cabin, and 2 miles of the Black Hawk Gulch, along with cleaning out two dirt tanks will require about 20 days of work. For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or Maribeth.Pecotte@usda.gov .