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SILVER CITY, NM, June 11, 2024 – An area closure is in effect for the Antone fire in the Quemado Ranger District, Gila National Forest. “This closure order is necessary to maintain our top priority which is always to protect firefighters and provide for public safety,” said Quemado District Ranger, Randall Chavez. “Active fire and firefighter activity on the ground and in the air require the public to avoid the area so that firefighters can focus on their operations.”

The closure order is identified at the intersection of Catron County (CAT) Road A095, also known as Mangas Road, and National Forest System Road (NFSR) 13 west 7.2 miles to the intersection of NFSR 13 and NFSR 93 north for 12 miles to the junction with NFSR 93 and CAT Road A095, south 7.3 miles back to the junction of CAT Road A095 and NFSR 13. This includes a portion of the Continental Divide Trail and Valla Tio Vince Campground.

Closure Order No. 03-06-03-24-001 is in effect until rescinded. Review the closure order map, marked Exhibit A. Both documents can be found on the Gila National Forest Alerts and Closures webpage at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/gila/alerts-notices

At the end of shift on Monday, the Antone fire was at 2,645 acres with 105 personnel assigned and the fire continues to primarily burn in ponderosa pine and some mixed conifer. The cloud cover assisted in moderate fire activity as work was conducted on the entire perimeter with some crews performing firing operations on the southeast side while other resources prepped the remaining exterior areas of the fire for future ignitions.

A type 3 incident management team assumed command of the fire Tuesday morning. The team will continue to manage the fire under the confine and contain strategy which is the interchangeable usage of direct and indirect suppression and point protection tactics. This strategy is subject to change based on changing conditions. Management objectives include the continuation of restoration work in the Slaughter Mesa area to reduce fuel loads, improve habitat, and protect values at risk. The planned area for the Antone fire is just over 12,000 acres.

There is less cloud cover today (Tuesday) and over the next couple of days which will make the fire more active and most likely more visible. Firefighter resources will continue with firing operations along the outer boundary while other crews continue exterior perimeter prep work. News releases will be provided every two days or if there are significant updates. 

Smoke may be seen from US Highway 60, NM Highway 12, the Community of Quemado, Quemado Lake Estates, Pie Town, Datil, Horse Springs, Apache Creek, and Reserve. View an interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/. Learn more about smoke impacts at https://www.env.nm.gov/air-quality/fire-smoke-links/.

For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or Maribeth.Pecotte@usda.gov.

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