Single Publication

For Immediate Release:

Notification for Public Health and Safety

Wind Event Moves in as Team Prepares to Transfer Command to the Gila National Forest

Press Release – Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Acres: 482                                                                                                 Start Date: Sunday, May 4, 2025

Location: 38 miles east of Glenwood, NM                                  Personnel: 142

Containment: 100%                                                                            Cause: Lightning

Summary: This will be the FINAL press release for the Iron Fire. The fire is 100% contained as of Monday afternoon. No further updates will be provided unless notable activity occurs. Should an update be necessary, it will be posted on the Gila National Forest Facebook page and the Iron Fire InciWeb site listed below. Command of the Iron Fire will transfer back to the Gila National Forest on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 6 a.m.

“On behalf of the entire Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Management Team, I want to extend my thanks to the local communities and partners for the incredible support shown throughout the week,” stated Incident Commander Marcus Cornwell. “As we return command to the Gila National Forest, the team remains ready to assist southwest New Mexico with any wildfires that exceed the initial response.”

In anticipation of high winds forecasted for Monday and Tuesday, all firefighting personnel were removed from the fireline on Sunday afternoon to ensure safety. Forecasted winds pose a significant hazard due to unstable snags within the fire area and limit the use of aircraft. Three hotshot crews and three engines remain strategically positioned to provide initial attack support for any new fire starts within the Gila National Forest.

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for southwest New Mexico, including parts of the Gila National Forest. This alert includes low relative humidity and 30-40 mph wind gusts, conditions that can lead to rapid fire spread. For details, visit: https://www.weather.gov/epz/

Fire Restrictions: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions remain in place on the Gila National Forest. For full details, visit: www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts.

For more information beginning Wednesday, May 14, 2025:

Gila National Forest Public Affairs Officer: (575) 388-8211 or Maribeth.Pecotte@usda.gov

Incident Information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmgnf-iron-fire

Facebook: www.facebook.com/GilaNForest