From Santa Clara Fire and Rescue tells residents about lifted restrictions, but has reminders.

Santa Clara Residents,

This is to inform you that the current fire restrictions in place are now lifted. Recent changes in weather conditions have decreased the severe risk of fires.

 I want to remind residents that Permits for open burns will still need to be purchased and approved before any burning.  

Residents are still encouraged to practice fire safety and to remain cautious. (see something, say something) 

On Monday July 21, 2025, there was an accidental discharge of a firearm at the Police Department.  Preliminary findings indicate that the Chief of Police was involved in the incident.  We are relieved to report that no injuries occurred.  

An outside agency has been requested to conduct an internal investigation to ensure transparency and accountability.  In order to maintain the integrity of this investigation, no further comments will be provided by this office or the police department at this time.  Thank you for your understanding.  

Goose Fire Update
Thursday July 24, 2025

Reported date: July 9,2025      Containment: 30%          Cause: Lightning/Natural         Size: 3060 acres
Personnel: 196              Fuels: Timber, Brush             Strategy: Full Suppression
Fire behavior: Minimal, Smoldering, Creeping

Operations: Firefighters made great progress yesterday in achieving full suppression objectives with an increase of containment to 30%. The previous day's significant rainfall resulted in a decrease in fire behavior, and crews evaluated the fire's status to determine tactical needs for the upcoming days. Crews completed cutting handline on Snow Creek Trail #233, and they continued preparing the eastern control line and securing the edges of the fire perimeter. Water-dropping helicopter support remained active throughout the day to ensure that the fire stayed within the planned containment boundaries. Masticators continued their work north along Forest Service Road 4083V; road work at Forest Service Road 4083T was completed.
Today, crews will begin rehab work along Goose Lake Trail #238 and Sheep Corral Trail #231, and they will also initiate rehab work on the 282 and 4083V Forest Service roads. Drier conditions are expected today and tomorrow, so firefighters will continue to ensure the edges of the fire perimeter are secure. Helicopter support will again be available to assist efforts to slow the fire's spread, and a helicopter reconnaissance flight is planned for the afternoon.

Message from Incident Commander Lino Baca, Albuquerque Zone Type 3 Team: "Because the fire received substantial precipitation in recent days, we are working closely with the US Forest Service to right-size the organization responding to the Goose Fire."

Weather: The fire received 0.75 inches of rain in recent days. Today will be mostly sunny; warm and dry conditions are expected today through Friday. Temperatures today will reach the mid-80s with relative humidity values near 22% by afternoon. Rain and isolated thunderstorms are forecasted for Saturday and Sunday.

Location: 18 miles NW of Silver City, NM on the Gila National Forest. It is located east of Seep Springs, south of the Gila River and west of Sheep's Corral Canyon.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the top priority. Members of the public should avoid the Goose Fire. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remains in effect; please visit www.tfr.faa.gov  for information specific to the Goose Fire. Unmanned aircraft such as drones pose a serious risk to firefighting and can cause air operations to cease. The public is reminded that "If you fly, we can't!".

Closures: Visit http://fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts/goose-fire-area-closure  for fire area closures along the 282 and 876 Forest Service roads. Visitors to the Gila Wilderness should be aware that the fire is burning near Goose Lake Trail #238, Monument Ridge Trail #254, and Packsaddle Trail #732.

ALERT: Highway 15 may be closed to all traffic for up to eight-hour increments due to the withdrawal of heavy equipment; the road closure interruptions will continue through Saturday at 10 p.m.

Smoke: Smoke may be more visible due to increased fire activity. For individuals sensitive to smoke please visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ .

Public Information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or (575)210-8624, 8am - 8pm

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmgnf-goose-fire 

By Mary Alice Murphy

At the Grant County Commissioner meeting on July 24, 2025, County Fire Department Chief Roger Groves, during public input announced that he had lifted fire restrictions at 8 a.m.that morning.

The Order reads:
Effective, Thursday, July 24: 08:00 a.m., Pursuant to County of Grant Ordinance 14-02

The Grant County Fire Chief and the Grant County Manager have cautiously observed various areas within the unincorporated portions of the County, as well as monitored up to date local forecast from U.S. Forest Service and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Based on observations and reports, all fire restrictions within the unincorporated portions of the County of Grant will be lifted.

Traffic signal at Pine and Gold Street are back in operation. Removed from NM Roads.

ROAD ADVISORY:

ALERT – Deming Area

Deming is currently experiencing a power outage which is affecting the stop/traffic lights at Pine Street and Gold Street. NMDOT is on site and all intersection should be treated as a 4 way stop.

 Goose Fire Update 

Wednesday July 23, 2025

Reported date: July 9,2025          Containment: 22%             Cause: Lightning/Natural           Size: 3060 acres

Personnel: 195                                                Fuels: Timber, Brush                                Strategy: Full Suppression         

Fire behavior: Creeping, Smoldering

Operations: Yesterday, the fire area received over an inch of rain, prompting firefighters to disengage in the afternoon due to hazardous conditions, including lightning and thunderstorms. However, crews were able to make progress in the morning, continuing to secure Goose Lake Trail #238 and Forest Road 282. A reconnaissance flight was conducted over the western perimeter, allowing fire managers to assess conditions and increase containment to 22%.