Highlights: Firefighters on the Black Fire are working diligently through wind and rain on fire suppression repair efforts. Fire suppression repair involves a series of immediate post-fire actions taken to repair damages and minimize potential soil erosion and impacts resulting from fire suppression activities. Suppression repair typically begins before the fire is fully contained. This work involves repairing hand and dozer lines, roads, trails, staging areas, safety zones, and drop points used during fire suppression efforts. Suppression repair by the Incident Management Team is an initial effort at reducing adverse impacts and is separate from Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) and Burned Area Repair (BAR) efforts. 

Operations: Minimal fire activity occurred yesterday in the southwest portion of the fire near Water Canyon as thunderstorms developed and passed over the Black Fire. A hotshot crew was sent into Water Canyon to construct additional fire line around the Forest Service cabin. Once the line was completed, the crew sought out and extinguished any remaining hotspots. More equipment will be brought into the western side of the fire area today to help repair fire lines and chip residual vegetation. On the northern fire perimeter, grader work is almost complete with a small portion remaining on the Titanic Road. Crews are scouting on foot and by air to identify repair needs on the eastern perimeter. Chippers are moving into this area for additional chipping and scattering of vegetation. With support from the helicopter crew, crews plan to backhaul hose and sprinkler equipment from the Forest Service Lodge. In North Percha, firefighters are finishing a small amount of hand line repair and dozer work. As the fire is winding down, firefighters are being released to return home to rest and prepare for their next fire assignment.     

Weather: Deep monsoon moisture remains in place today, with the potential for some thunderstorms to produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy skies, cool daytime temperatures, and high humidity levels will occur into Thursday morning. Less moisture on Thursday into the weekend will result in warmer temperatures, lower humidity, and reduced thunderstorm coverage. 

Evacuations: All evacuations and evacuation preparedness levels have been lifted for communities in Sierra, Grant, and Catron Counties. The real-time,  interactive evacuation map has been revised to reflect this change. 

Closures: The Black Fire Emergency Closure remains in effect on National Forest System lands around the Black Fire area. Additional information is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/gila/alerts-notices/?aid=73435. Highway 152 remains open from milepost 40 (Kingston) to milepost 15 (San Lorenzo). Please continue to use caution in the area and be mindful of increased fire traffic.  

Restrictions: Know Before You Go! The public can obtain  current state and federal  fire restriction information across New Mexico at NM Fire Info | Fire Restrictions or NM Forestry Division state-wide fire restrictions.   

Safety:  The health and safety of firefighters and the public is always the top priority.  Members of the public  should stay away from Black Fire operations. A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Black Fire area, which includes unmanned aircraft, or drones. More information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground can be found at: https://uas.nifc.gov/.  

Information: Due to reduced fire activity, daily updates and maps will no longer be posted on information boards located in areas to the west and north of the Black Fire.   

Fire updates are posted on InciWeb, the Gila National Forest Facebook and Twitter pages, and NM Fire Information. 

Email: 2022.black@firenet.gov • Phone: (575)-249-1264 • Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM