Sierra County, NM - June 4, 2022: The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office in close coordination with the Southwest Incident Management Team 3 is making changes to evacuation status for the Black Fire. 

A decision to make immediate changes to the current evacuation status was made after a review of fire activity in and around areas affected at or near the North Percha Creek area. After considering several factors to include fire behavior, fuel types, natural barriers, estimated time of evacuation, and other factors, it was determined that the residences located in the North Percha Creek area north Kingston, NM, to include the Mary Alice Garay and David Salopek residences, are currently in increased danger from the Black Fire and should be upgraded from a “READY” to a “SET” status. 

Evacuations will upgrade from READY to SET for the following areas:

NORTH PERCHA CREEK- MARY ALICE GARAY AND DAVID SALOPEK RESIDENCES

Areas 1A, 3 (NW of Chloride/Winston), 4, 8A and 11A remain in GO status. These changes are effective immediately. Please continue to stay vigilante and aware of fire activity. 

More information about “Ready, Set, Go". 
Real time, interactive evacuation map

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Silver City, NM - June 4, 2022: The Grant County Sheriff’s Office in close coordination with the Southwest Incident Management Team 3 is making changes to evacuation status for the Black Fire. 

The decision to downgrade evacuation status was made with the Incident Management Team 3 that is now managing the Black Fire . After considering several factors to include fire behavior , fuel types , natural barriers , estimated time of evacuation , and other factors it was determined that this area was no longer currently in imminent danger from the Black Fire. 

Evacuations will downgrade from GO to READY for the following area: 

AREA 5B-Diamond Bar Ranch 

Areas 6, 7, 8, and 11 EAST of North Star Road remain in GO status. Area 12 is still in a set. These changes are effective immediately. Please continue to stay vigilant and aware of fire activity. More information about “Ready, Set, Go” . 

See the Interactive evacuation map for real-time information. 

Sierra County, NM - June 4, 2022: The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office in close coordination with the Southwest Incident Management Team 3 is making changes to evacuation status for the Black Fire. 

A decision to make immediate changes to the current evacuation status was made after a review of fire activity in and around areas affected at the northern and southeast boundaries of the Black Fire. After considering several factors to include fire behavior, fuel types, natural barriers, estimated time of evacuation, and other factors, it was determined that the area north of State Road 59 to include Poverty Creek, was no longer currently in imminent danger from the Black Fire and should be downgraded from “SET” to a “READY” status.  
 
Due to continued fire growth on the Southeast end of the Black Fire, the areas of the Ladder Ranch, should be upgraded from “PLANNING” to a “READY” status. 
 
Evacuations will downgrade from SET to READY for the following areas: 

AREA 1C- SR 59 BEAVERHEAD EAST TO JUNCTION OF SR 52 @ BEAR CREEK RD 

Evacuations will upgrade from PLANNING to READY for the following areas: 

LADDER RANCH PLANNING- STRUCTURES AND SURROUNDING ASSETS LOCATED ON THE LADDER RANCH 

Areas 1A, 3 (NW of Chloride/Winston), 4, 8A and 11 remain in GO status. These changes are effective immediately. Please continue to stay vigilant and aware of fire activity. More information about “Ready, Set, Go”. 

See the interactive evacuation map for real-time evacuation information.

Catron County Sheriff’s Office Announces Additional Changes to Evacuation Status

 Acres: 268,218 acres 
 Location: 31 miles NW of Truth or Consequences
 Containment: 29%
 Personnel: 800
 Start Date: Friday, May 13, 2022
 Cause: Human-caused, under investigation
 Fuels: Timber and tall grass
 Structures Lost: 2


Interactive Evacuation Map: A real-time, interactive evacuation map is now available. Catron County Sheriff’s Office announced additional changes in evacuation status for several areas today. Please check the interactive map for current evacuation status for the Black Fire or call the Catron’s County Sheriff’s Office at (575) 533-6222.For individual inquiries, please contact your local jurisdiction’s emergency management agencies.

Hot and dry days are leading to poor overnight recovery. Low relative humidity around 20% will contribute to extended burning periods through the night. The fire continues to be active on the south side. Fire managers anticipate the fire to move into McKnight Canyon.

On the southeast, the fire may spread into Las Animas Creek. Firefighters continue to hold and improve existing containment lines on the southwest perimeter. Firefighters are working on Forest Service Road 151 and using this as an indirect tactic. Strategic planning on the southern end is ongoing as fire managers look for opportunities to build indirect firelines.

No additional growth has been reported in the Turkey and Bear Creek areas. Firefighters will continue to monitor and patrol this area for heat on the fire’s edge.

Weather: High pressure and drier conditions will prevail over the fire today, with relative humidity falling into the mid-single digits. The winds are forecast to continue out of the southwest, with a few gusts from 20-25 mph. Single digit minimum relative humidity and poor overnight recoveries will continue through early next week. The forecast shows temperatures in the mid to high 80s with humidity 4-10%, and winds 12-18 mph.

Closures: Highway 59 is closed from Mud Hole to the 59/150 intersection. Forest Road 150 is also closed at the North Star Helispot. I-25 and other state highways remain open. A portion of the Gila National Forest affected by the fire has been closed.

Aviation Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the Black Fire restricts non-fire aircraft. This includes civilian drones. Unauthorized aircraft in the area can ground firefighting aircraft, hinder firefighting efforts, and can also result in criminal charges for the offender.
 
Fire Restrictions: Know Before You Go! The public can obtain current state and federal fire restriction information across New Mexico at NM Fire Info | Fire Restrictions or at NM Forestry Division state-wide fire restrictions

More Information:

• Inciweb
• Facebook
• New Mexico Fire information
• Twitter
• NM Road Information 
• Smoke Outlook Report
• Sierra County
• Catron County
  
• Grant County
• Firewise

EVACUATION DOWNGRADES 6/3/22

Change in Black Fire evacuation status Per USFS and Catron County Sheriff’s Office Effective June 3, 2022, the following changes in the evacuation status pertaining to the Black Fire in Catron County will be as follows:

• Unit 2B and 2C area within Catron County will change from a GO status to a READY status.

 This area is the Southeast corner of Catron County that is within the Black Fire burn area. These areas will remain being monitored and subject to being change should the need arise. For further inquiries please contact the Catron County Sheriff’s Office (575) 533-6222 or visit our Interactive Evacuation Map.

Community Meeting Tonight at the Black Range Lodge/Evacuation Status Changes 

Acres: 264,657 acres
Location: 31 miles NW of Truth or Consequences
Containment: 29%
Personnel: 759
Start Date: Friday, May 13, 2022
Cause: Human-caused, under investigation
Fuels: Timber and tall grass
Structures Lost: 2

Reminder: Community meeting tonight, Friday, June 3, 2022, 6 p.m. at the Black Range Lodge in Kingston, NM. 

Interactive Evacuation Map: A real-time, interactive evacuation map is now available. Catron and Grant County Sheriff’s Office have downgraded several areas, please check the interactive map for current evacuation status for the Black Fire. The map provides current information on evacuation status for the Black Fire. For individual inquiries, please contact your local jurisdiction’s emergency management agencies.

Firefighters will continue to focus on the southeast side of the fire, below Hermosa. Fire growth has been to the east in this area around Las Animas Creek moving into grass. This change in fuel type is allowing firefighters and equipment to go direct building control lines limiting the fires growth. Resource will be scouting for containment features north of Kingston, where access is limited to build indirect lines which will help keep the fire from moving closer to Kingston. With an increase in monsoonal type weather over the next few days, winds could cause interior fuels to flair-up. Aerial resources will be used to patrol and monitor the fire, keeping an eye on areas showing heat and continue supporting firefighter as needed.

There has been no growth on the northern end of the fire. Firefighters will continue to monitor, patrol and extinguish any hotspots along the perimeter of the fire.

Weather: Isolated showers and thunderstorms will be possible this afternoon, mainly after 2:00 pm. Once again expect the activity to develop to the east of the fire and move eastward away from the incident. The main risk will be outflow winds from the storms. The winds will be gusty out of the southwest this afternoon. Overnight humidity recoveries will be poor, only climbing into the 20 percent range. Temperatures will be in the mid to high 80’s with humidities 8-12%, and winds 12-18 mph.

Closures: Highway 59 is closed from Mud Hole to the 59/150 intersection. Forest Road 150 is also closed at the North Star Helispot. I-25 and other state highways remain open. A portion of the Gila National Forest affected by the fire has been closed.

Aviation Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the Black Fire restricts non-fire aircraft. This includes civilian drones. Unauthorized aircraft in the area can ground firefighting aircraft, hinder firefighting efforts, and can also result in criminal charges for the offender.
 
Fire Restrictions: Know Before You Go! The public can obtain current state and federal fire restriction information across New Mexico at NM Fire Info | Fire Restrictions or at NM Forestry Division state-wide fire restrictions

More Information:

• Inciweb
• Facebook
• New Mexico Fire information
• Twitter
• NM Road Information 
• Smoke Outlook Report
• Sierra County
• Catron County
  
• Grant County
• Firewise

Change in Black Fire evacuation status Per USFS and Catron County Sheriff’s Office 
Effective June 2, 2022, the following changes in the evacuation status pertaining to the Black Fire in Catron County will be as follows 

• Unit #1 area within Catron County will change from a SET status to a READY status. This area is west of the Catron County Line to an area west of Beaverhead and Wall Lake.
• Unit #9 and Unit #10 will have all evacuation status removed entirely. These areas are west from the eastern forest boundary and are north of Highway 59.

These areas will remain being monitored and subject to being change should the need arise 
For further inquiries please contact the Catron County Sheriff’s Office 
(575) 533-6222 

Aerial Resources Continue to Support Firefighters

Community meeting Friday, June 3, 2022, at 6 p.m. at the Black Range Lodge in Kingston, NM.

Acres: 262,695 acres
Location: 31 miles NW of Truth or Consequences
Containment: 26%
Personnel: 831
Start Date: Friday, May 13, 2022
Cause: Human-caused, under investigation
Fuels: Timber and tall grass
Structures Lost: 2

Interactive Evacuation Map: A real-time, interactive evacuation map is now available. The map provides current information on evacuation status for the Black Fire. For individual inquiries, please contact your local jurisdiction’s emergency management agencies.
 

The Black Fire is burning in extremely dry timber and tall grass fuels. Fine fuel loading is very high due to robust monsoons in 2021 and is contributing to the high rates of spread through unburned areas. Hot temperatures and winds continue to move the fire through fine grasses and into heavy fuels. Aircraft has been busy supporting firefighters on the ground by dropping water on hotspots along the fires edge, to slow fires spread.

Activity increased on the northeast side Wednesday, but with the use of firefighters and a Type 1 helicopter, the fire held in its current footprint with no growth to the east. On the south and southeast sides of the fire, wind continues to push the fire into canyons and drainages. Again, aircraft played an important role throughout the day, supporting firefighters on the ground. Firefighters continue to look for control features that could be used to slow or contain the southern edge of the fire.

Weather:  An upper-level disturbance may bring a slight chance for an afternoon thunderstorm today, but most of the thunderstorm activity will remain east of the fire. The main risk will be outflow winds from the storms. Overnight recoveries will be good tonight into Friday morning. Expect similar conditions on Friday with isolated afternoon thunderstorms. Temperatures will be in the mid to high 80’s with relative humidity 8-12%, with winds 12-18 mph.

Closures: Highway 59 is closed from Mud Hole to the 59/150 intersection. Forest Road 150 is also closed at the North Star Helispot. I-25 and other state highways remain open. A portion of the Gila National Forest affected by the fire has been closed.

Aviation Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the Black Fire restricts non-fire aircraft. This includes civilian drones. Unauthorized aircraft in the area can ground firefighting aircraft, hinder firefighting efforts, and can also result in criminal charges for the offender.
 
Fire Restrictions: Know Before You Go! The public can obtain current state and federal fire restriction information across New Mexico at NM Fire Info | Fire Restrictions or at NM Forestry Division state-wide fire restrictions

Fire Restrictions:

• The Gila National Forest in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions
  
• NM Forestry Division state-wide fire restrictions

More Information:

• Inciweb
• Facebook
• New Mexico Fire information
• Twitter
• NM Road Information 
• Smoke Report Outlook
• Sierra County
• Catron County
  
• Grant County
• Firewise

Community Meeting Tonight at the Sapillo Creek Volunteer Fire Station

  Reminder: Community meeting Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at 6 p.m. at the Sapillo Creek Volunteer Fire Station, 860 HWY 35 North, Mimbres, NM.   

Acres: 254,840 acres
Location: 31 miles NW of Truth or Consequences
Containment: 25%
Personnel: 816
Start Date: Friday, May 13, 2022
Cause: Human-caused, under investigation
Fuels: Timber and tall grass
Structures Lost: 2

Interactive Evacuation Map: A real-time, interactive evacuation map is now available. The map provides current information on evacuation status for the Black Fire. For individual inquiries, please contact your local jurisdiction’s emergency management agencies.
Fire activity has increased on the east and southern edge of the fire.  Fuels, terrain and weather are contributing to increased fire behavior, heat and smoke.  Crews are positioned along the fire’s edge south of Hermosa and north of McKnight Cabin to suppress and tie in uncontained line; and scout for opportunities to tie control lines together by using natural features like roads and trails.  Up on the north end of the fire, control lines are holding, but smoke will be visible as interior pockets of fuel continue to burn.  Aircraft are being used to drop water on the fire as winds allow, assisting firefighters on the ground and cooling hotspots.    

Weather:  Continued very dry conditions with single digit relative humidity and poor overnight recovery combined with breezy southwest wind. Expect hotter temperatures today, light winds this morning will give way to southwest winds with gusts to around 20 miles per hour this afternoon. There will be a slight chance for an afternoon shower or thunderstorm on Thursday and Friday.

Closures: Highway 59 is closed from Mud Hole to the 59/150 intersection. Forest Road 150 is also closed at the North Star Helispot. I-25 and other state highways remain open. A portion of the Gila National Forest affected by the fire has been closed.

Aviation Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the Black Fire restricts non-fire aircraft. This includes civilian drones. Unauthorized aircraft in the area can ground firefighting aircraft, hinder firefighting efforts, and can also result in criminal charges for the offender.

Fire Restrictions:

• The Gila National Forest in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions
  
• NM Forestry Division state-wide fire restrictions

More Information:

• Smoke Outlook for the Black Fire
• Inciweb
• New Mexico Fire information
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Smoke Info
• Sierra County
• Catron County 
• Grant County
• NM Road Information 

Southwest Area Incident Management Team 3 Assumes Command

Acres: 246,648 acres
Location: 31 miles NW of Truth or Consequences
Containment: 28%
Personnel: 759
Start Date: Friday, May 13, 2022
Cause: Human-caused, under investigation
Fuels: Timber and tall grassStructures Lost: 2

The Southwest Area Incident Management Team 3 assumed command of the Black fire Tuesday at 6 a.m. and plans to hold a community meeting Wednesday, June 1st, 2022, at 6 p.m. at the Sapillo Volunteer Fire Station, 860 HWY 35 North, Mimbres, NM.

Interactive Evacuation Map: A real-time, interactive evacuation map is now available. The map provides current information on evacuation status for the Black Fire. For individual inquiries, please contact your local jurisdiction’s emergency management agencies. 

Despite the significant wind yesterday, there was minimal fire growth. Firefighters were successful in holding the northern flank and will continue to patrol and secure the area by removing burning material near control lines. Strong downslope east winds continue to push the fire to the south and east. Fire managers are identifying opportunities for constructing control lines on the southern flank to slow the fires growth south towards McKnight Mountain. Higher overnight relative humidity is expected which will limit fire activity. Crews will continue to construct direct and indirect control lines, using hand and aerial ignitions as needed to strengthen existing fire lines along the fire’s edge.
 
Weather: Lighter winds are expected with gusts from 20 – 25 mph out of the southwest. Temperatures will be warmer, climbing into the mid-80s, with relative humidity in the single digits. Continued hot and dry weather will contribute to active fire behavior throughout the day and well into the night.

Closures: Highway 59 is closed from Mud Hole to the 59/150 intersection. Forest Road 150 is also closed at the North Star Helispot. I-25 and other state highways remain open. A portion of the Gila National Forest affected by the fire has been closed.

Aviation Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the Black Fire restricts non-fire aircraft. This includes civilian drones. Unauthorized aircraft in the area can ground firefighting aircraft, hinder firefighting efforts, and can also result in criminal charges for the offender.

Fire Restrictions:

• The Gila National Forest in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions
  
• NM Forestry Division state-wide fire restrictions

More Information:

• Smoke Outlook for the Black Fire
• Inciweb
• New Mexico Fire information
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Smoke Info
• Sierra County
• Catron County 
• Grant County
• NM Road Information