Mimbres, NM, October 24, 2019 -- The Wilderness Ranger District, Gila National Forest had a theft at the fee collection box at Mesa Campground. The staff discovered the theft today. The box was last emptied on October 11.

If you have visited the Mesa Campground since October 11 and used a check as payment for the fees, please contact your bank. District Ranger Rachelle Huddleston-Lorton stated that "in order to protect our visitors' financial well-being we recommend a stop payment for their checks." Checks deposited by the offices of the Gila National Forest are sent to the US Treasury for processing and would read that way. 

The incident is under investigation. Until the fee box is replaced, we are asking that visitors deposit their fees at Upper End Campground. For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila