Silver City, NM; July 19, 2016 – For Immediate Release – The Black Range Complex Fires on the Black Range Ranger District consist of four fires: the Kline and Cooney Fires started July 8, the Corduroy Fire on July 17, and the Boiler Fire on July 18. These lightning-caused fires are located in the Black Range Mountains, 65 miles northwest of Truth or Consequences, NM.  As these fires burn, pre-determined management areas have been designated for fire management.  There are currently 116 fire personnel assigned to the Black Range Complex Fires.

The Cooney Fire, located near Cooney Prairie (T10S, R14W, Sec 13), is approximately 3,620 acres burning with low to moderate effects in pine, oak and grass.  The Kline Fire, located near Kline Mountain (T10s, R10w, Sec 14), is approximately 405 acres burning in ponderosa pine and piñon–juniper. The Corduroy Fire, located in lower Corduroy Canyon (T10s, R12w, Sec 27), is approximately 2.5 acres and burning in ponderosa pine and piñon–juniper.  An Initial Response crew responded to a new lightning start within the complex management area named the Boiler Fire.  The fire is located in Sawmill Canyon (T10s, R10w, Sec 18), and is burning in ponderosa pine and piñon–juniper and has been place in monitor status until a final management decision is made by the Black Range Complex Incident Commander, in coordination with Forest Service personnel, permittees, and cooperators.  The Black Range Complex Fires are currently 10% contained.

Yesterday, crews on the Cooney Fire scouted the Black Mountain area to develop a strategy for a possible future ignitions operation and continued line preparations along CR 21.  Crews on the Kline Fire continued ignition operations along FR 46 and continued scouting the unburned fuels to the west of the fire’s perimeter.  Corduroy Fire personnel monitored the fire for behavior and effects.

 

Today, Cooney Fire personnel will continue holdings operations along SR 59 and line preparations along CR 21. Crews on the Kline Fire, will continue holding operations and monitor the fire south along FR 46 and scout the unburned fuels south of the fire’s progression.  Crews on the Corduroy Fire and Boiler Fire will monitor these fires for fire effects and behavior for management objectives.

Fire behavior and effects are being assessed to insure incident objectives are being met.  These objectives include reducing hazardous fuels, maintain and returning fire to a fire-adaptive ecosystem, increasing firefighter and public safety, and protecting cultural resources and wildlife habitat.

The extended weather forecast for the Black Range Complex Fires indicate isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms will  continue to develop each afternoon and early evening for the next few days.  Smoke conditions will continue to be visible from Wolf Hollow Campground.  Campers can continue to experience drifting smoke and haze from the Cooney Fire and the Kline Fire.  Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found by calling the New Mexico Department of Health at 1-888-878-8992, or visiting the website at: https://nmtracking.org/fire.

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At this time there is a road and trail advisory in place within the Black Range Complex fire perimeter.  In an effort to protect the public and to enhance the safety of our firefighters, the Gila National Forest is asking all visitors to avoid the areas of the Black Range Ranger District and the Wilderness Ranger District that fall in the areas south of Highway 59, south and east of County Road 21 and 23 to Double Springs, east of Yellow Springs Trail (Trail No. 53), north of Greenfly Trail (Trail No. 26), and west of FR 150.  This area includes Wolf Hollow Campground, the trail, and the Gravel Pit area on FR 4064T.  This also includes the area of the Continental Divide Trail between the junction of FR 220A and Highway 59.  Please detour west along FR 226A north on FR 226 to re-enter the CDT at Highway 59.                                        

For more information, please contact the Fire Information Line at: (575) 772-5747 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. located at the Incident Command Post at Beaverhead Work Center or visit the New Mexico Fire Information website at www.nmfireinfo.com; and http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/.  Also, you can find additional information at https://www.facebook.com/GilaNForest, and http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila  Twitter: @gilanforest.

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