Firefighters continue to manage several wildfires on the Gila National Forest that started by lighting over the past week. Three are being managed to achieve resource objectives. Dave Warnack, Acting Gila Forest Supervisor, says “These incidents are helping us return fire to the ecosystem and reduce hazardous fuels. The goal is to use these fires to lower the risk of future severe wildfires across the forest.”  Two other fires are being managed under a suppression strategy.

Pinon Fire – The 3,100-acre fire is located in Cox Canyon, east of Forest Road 94 on the Reserve Ranger District. Operations continue on the western side of the fire to prevent fire spread outside the intended boundary. The fire is moving in a northeasterly direction at a low to moderate pace. Approximately 42 personnel (four engines and one crew) are working on the fire representing the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and New Mexico State Forestry.

Moore Fire – The 1,700 acre fire is on Tom Moore Mesa in the Gila Wilderness. Firefighters are working along trails on the northern and southern boundaries of the planned management area for the incident. The Cobre Las Cruces Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team is managing this incident.

Middle Fire – This 200-acre fire and the Moore Fire are being managed together in the Gila Wilderness. The Middle Fire is just two miles northwest of the Moore Fire.

Woodrow Fire – The 360-acre fire in the Gila Wilderness is being managed with a suppression strategy due to resource concerns with the Gila trout population and habitat in this area. About 50 personnel are working on the incident from the BLM and US Forest Service. Steep rugged terrain is affecting containment efforts; there is no containment on this fire. Some precipitation has fallen on the Woodrow.

Meadow Fire – The fire is less than one acre and was detected today, 13 miles northeast of Silver City on the Silver City Ranger District. Personnel are taking suppression actions on this incident.

The forecast shows continued hot temperatures with a chance of isolated thunderstorms. These storms may produce gusty winds at times over the fires.