Visitors should be prepared for self-sufficiency.
SILVER CITY, NM, November 14, 2023 – As winter draws near, the Gila National Forest is shutting down water systems and seasonally operated campgrounds across the forest.
“The annual seasons bring cycles of change to the forest, in terms of vegetation growth, wildlife activities, and the work we do to manage the national forest resources,” said Gila National Forest Supervisor Camille Howes “Freezing overnight temperatures in the mountains demand closure of some campgrounds and water systems.”
Piñon and Juniper Campgrounds, located at Quemado Lake closed for the season last month on the Quemado Ranger District.
• Last week, the water system was shut off at Dipping Vat Campground, located at Snow Lake on the Reserve Ranger District. The campground remains open for public use.
• Mesa Campground, located at Lake Roberts, will close on December 11, after the last deer hunting season in Game Management Unit 24.
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There are still plenty of opportunities for camping at campgrounds that are open year-round and dispersed sites on the 3.3 million acres of the Gila National Forest. Visitors should bring more water than you for drinking, cooking, sanitation, and extinguishing campfires.
Recent dry, breezy weather has driven fire danger back to “high” on the Gila National Forest. Please help prevent human-caused wildfires by extinguishing all campfires out cold to the touch when they are not attended. Follow these guidelines to keep your Forest and public lands safer:
Clear all flammable material away from the fire for a minimum of 5 feet in all directions.
· Make a fire only if you have a shovel and sufficient water to put it out.
· Never leave your campfire unattended and put it out at night.
· Avoid making a campfire during the windy part of the day.
· To make sure your campfire is out, drown with water and stir with dirt, making sure all burned materials are extinguished. Put your hand in the ashes to make sure it’s cold. If it’s too hot to touch it needs more water and more stirring.
· To report a fire on the forest, please call Silver City Interagency Dispatch at 800-538-1644.
For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or Maribeth.Pecotte@usda.gov .