FIRE RESTRICTIONS NOTIFICATION
Silver City, NM, Apr. 25, 2025—With continued windy, dry weather and increasing heat, the Gila National Forest will move to Stage 2 fire restrictions on Monday, April 28. The purpose of the restrictions is to protect public health and safety, as well as National Forest System lands, resources, and facilities by reducing the risk of human-caused wildfires during the current period of extreme fire danger and severe weather conditions.
"These fire restrictions allow for the use of liquid-fueled stoves with shut-off valve, within an area at least 6 feet in diameter that are cleared of vegetation or other flammable materials," said Gila National Forest Supervisor Camille Howes. "We are coordinating this closure with our state, county, and federal partners. With your help, we can all work together to prevent human-caused wildfires."
Under Stage 2 fire restrictions, it is prohibited to build, maintain, attend, or use a fire, campfire, stove fire, including charcoal and briquettes. Smoking is prohibited, except in an enclosed vehicle, within a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of flammable materials. Stage 2 restrictions also prohibit the use of internal combustion engines or battery-powered equipment capable of creating sparks, welding or operating acetylene torch with open flame, and the use of vehicles off designated routes from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. If parking a vehicle off a designated route, it must be in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the vehicle.
The Stage 2 fire restrictions order can be found on the Gila National Forest website at Gila National Forest - Alerts & Notices (usda.gov).
For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or
