USFS ENDS ALL BLACK FIRE EVACUATION ORDERS & PREPAREDNESS PLANS

On Monday June 20, 2022 the U.S. Forest Service and the Black Fire Management Team announced the lifting of all existing evacuation orders and evacuation plans in Grant, Catron & Sierra Counties around the Black Fire Zone. Please read the actual USFS release below:

"Due to recent rainfall and improvement in fire conditions, the immediate threat to communities surrounding the Black Fire has been reduced.  Based on a recommendation from the Incident Management Team, all evacuations and evacuation preparedness levels have been lifted for communities in Catron, Grant and Sierra counties around the Black Fire area, effective 1:00 PM on Monday, June 20th.   The real-time, interactive evacuation map ([Black%20Fire%20Evacuation%20Map%20Link]Black Fire Evacuation Map Link) has been revised to reflect this change; this link will be kept up to date through June 26.

 The Gila National Forest closure remains in effect on National Forest lands around the Black Fire area, additional information is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/gila/alerts-notices/?aid=73435 

While the immediate threat from the fire has been decreased, residents are encouraged to continue to monitor weather forecasts and post-fire flooding potential at https://www.weather.gov/epz/ and monitor County Emergency Management websites for additional information.  Current weather forecasts indicate a high probability of severe monsoon storms and residents should take precautions as increased runoff from the burn scar may pose additional threats for flooding."

Please remember that there are ongoing firefighting activities in the Black Fire Zone and a forest closure remains in effect on National Forest Lands around the Black Fire Zone. Respect the closures and the hard work firefighters have done and continue to do in the suppression of this fire incident. A flash flood watch also remains in effect in specified areas. Please be careful!