Silver City, NM — Yearly monsoons are anticipated as a 'good thing.' However, monsoons can be dangerous if you are not aware of what they can bring without much warning! The Gila National Forest wants visitors to enjoy their time on the forest, and encourages visitors planning a trip to the area to "Know Before You Go!" Check with the National Weather Service to see the weather outlook prior to your visit.

Recreational visitors should avoid low-lying areas. Hazards during monsoon season include flash floods, dust storms, and lightning. Flash floods can occur within minutes and can carry large debris such as trees, logs, mud, and other large objects picked up along the way. It is important to anticipate when rain is predicted, and to be aware of the routes in and out of the area. Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times a year. If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you. When you hear thunder, immediately move to a safe shelter. For more lightning safety tips: https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning-tips.

Never drive across a flooded road. In many cases, individuals attempt to drive through flooded roads only to be whisked away by rushing waters. The rule is simple: if the road or its line markings cannot be seen, avoid driving through the water. Turn Around, Don't Drown.

The southwestern region receives large rain events this time of year. For more information on road/trail conditions, contact one of the ranger districts or the Forest Supervisor's Office at 575.388.8201.

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila or join the conversation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GilaNForest/ or follow us on Twitter @GilaNForest.