Announcement:  NM State highway 152 will reopen today at 7:00 p.m. for holiday weekend traffic.

Location:  The Drummond Fire is one mile south of Emory Pass and the Trujillo Fire is one mile south of the Drummond Fire on the Gila National Forest, Black Range Ranger District, Sierra County, NM

Start Date:  May 19, 2021                Size:  Approximately 130 acres                          Cause:  Lightning

Summary:  The Drummond Fire received a small amount of precipitation yesterday morning along with increased humidity which suppressed the fires growth until mid-afternoon. Fuels dried by afternoon and the fire began some movement along with a substantial amount of smoke. By evening the fires footprint had increased by about 15 acres.

Today weather conditions are expected to be less moist without the morning cloud cover.  Fire activity will be elevated throughout the day and likely will continue to be active through the night with only slight humidity recovery. 

The Trujillo Fire still has not produced smoke, but we remain observant for any activity.  

Crews continued yesterday clearing dead snags and brush along Highway 152 along with a short stretch of fire line near Emory Pass that will provide a further contingency buffer should the fire ultimately challenge the upper portion of Highway 152 near the pass. The work along the road will continue thru today while Highway 152 remains closed for public and fire fighter safety but will reopen at 7 p.m. today for the holiday weekend. Fire fighters will remain working in the area constructing contingency lines

Objectives:  Currently fire managers primary objectives include minimizing the impact of fire and falling snags on fire fighters, public safety for area residents, and protecting natural resources. 

Closures:  Black Range Crest Trail 79 – Closed from NM Highway 152 south to National Forest Road (NFRS) 886. Royal John Rd., Grandview Trail 146 – Closed from NFSR 523 Silver Creek Rd. to Black Range Crest Trail 79. Trujillo Trail 134 – Closed from Black Range Crest Trail 79 to Private Seven Brothers – Closed from NFSR 886 Royal John Rd to Black Range Crest Trail 79. State Highway 152 between mileposts 28 and 40 until 7 p.m. today.

Smoke/Air Quality:  The New Mexico Department of Health site also known as 5-3-1,  https://nmtracking.org/fire  has good information and guidance on mitigating your smoke exposure.  Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems are encouraged to take precautionary measures by staying inside during heavy smoke periods and avoiding outdoor activities.  Smoke will be visible and could settle into the canyons around Kingston, Hillsboro, and Lake Valley. It will also be visible on NM Hwy 152 and Interstate 25. A smoke monitor will be installed near Kingston and should be operational this afternoon.

Fire information can be found on nmfireinfo.com or on Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7494/.

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website.

May 28, 2021 Announcement: NM State highway 152 will reopen today at 7:00 p.m. for holiday weekend traffic.  

Location:  The Drummond Fire is one mile south of Emory Pass and the Trujillo Fire is one mile south of the Drummond Fire on the Gila National Forest, Black Range Ranger District, Sierra County, NM

Start Date:  May 19, 2021                Size:  Approximately 115 acres                          Cause:  Lightning

Summary:  The Drummond fire is anticipated to remain active today and throughout the night due to poor relative humidity recoveries.  Continued weather conditions of single digit humidity, high temperatures, and  strong winds, have allowed the fire to slowly and steadily move, but still within the 2013 Silver fire perimeter. Motorists travelling along Interstate 25 will likely see smoke and possible nighttime flames from fire activity on the Drummond Fire.

The Trujillo fire has not produced smoke for four days, but we remain observant for any activity.  

Due to increased movement of the fire and as a contingency to keep the fire from crossing Highway 152, crews yesterday began clearing dead snags and brush along Highway 152 and will continue for several days.  NMDOT has closed NM Highway 152 between milepost 40 just outside Kingston to mile post 28 which is uphill from the Iron Creek Campground, until 8 a. m. Saturday May 29. This closure is to allow firefighters to safely remove dead trees and brush without risk of harming passing motorists and firefighters working along the road.

Objectives:  Currently the primary objectives include minimizing the impact of fire, and falling snags on fire fighters, public safety, and protecting natural resources. 

Closures:  Black Range Crest Trail 79 – Closed from NM Highway 152 south to National Forest Road (NFRS) 886. Royal John Rd., Grandview Trail 146 – Closed from NFSR 523 Silver Creek Rd. to Black Range Crest Trail 79. Trujillo Trail 134 – Closed from Black Range Crest Trail 79 to Private Seven Brothers – Closed from NFSR 886 Royal John Rd to Black Range Crest Trail 79. State Highway 152 between mileposts 28 and 40.

Smoke/Air Quality:  The New Mexico Department of Health site also known as 5-3-1,  https://nmtracking.org/fire  has good information and guidance on mitigating your smoke exposure.  Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems are encouraged to take precautionary measures by staying inside during heavy smoke periods and avoiding outdoor activities.  Smoke will be visible and settle into the area of Kingston, Hillsboro, Lake Valley, and will also be visible on NM Hwy 152 and Interstate 25.

Fire information can be found on nmfireinfo.com or on Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7494/.

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website.

Forest Service News Release

 NM 152 Roadway Closure

KINGSTON – The NMDOT along with the Gila National Forest Service are closing NM 152 “Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway” beginning Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 8 a.m. due to the Drummond Fire near Emory Pass.

The roadway will be closed at milepost 28, “Iron Creek Campground” to milepost 40 at Kingston. Detours will be in place on NM 152 to NM 61 and US 180 or NM 152 to NM 27 and to NM 26 “Hatch Highway.”  This closure is expected to last until Saturday, May 29.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation is committed to the safety of the traveling public and appreciates your cooperation with this closure. For updated information visit: New Mexico Department of Transportation at www.nmroads.com or call 511.

Announcement: A public meeting for local residents will be held at the Black Range Lodge Amphitheater Wednesday evening May 26 at 6:00 p.m. The Lodge is located at 50 Main Street, Kingston, NM.

Location:  The Drummond Fire is one mile south of Emory Pass and the Trujillo Fire is one mile south of the Drummond Fire on the Gila National Forest, Black Range Ranger District, Sierra County, NM

Start Date:  May 19, 2021                Size: 8 acres                          Cause:  Lightning

Summary:  The Drummond and the Trujillo Fires were ignited by lightning on National Forest System lands on the Black Range Ranger District, Gila National Forest May 19th. Both ignited within the 2013 Silver Fire scar. Late in the afternoon yesterday, the Drummond fire began putting up smoke and some active movement occurred outside yesterday’s footprint. The Trujillo fire has produced no smoke during the same period. Fires in this type of terrain and fuel loading are expected to creep and smolder as they burn from individual log to individual log.

Type 3 incident Commander Matt Nelson, accompanied by trainee IC Zack Wagner, assumed command of this incident effective at 12 noon yesterday, May 24th.

Today, firefighters and equipment will remain poised at Emory Pass monitoring the fire and will respond as necessary should the fire begin to move. They will keep the fire south of Highway 152 and east of Black Range Crest Trail 79.

Objectives:  Currently the primary objectives include minimizing the impact of fire on wildland firefighters, public safety and protecting natural resources. 

Closures:  Black Range Crest Trail 79 – Closed from NM Highway 152 south to National Forest Road (NFRS) 886. Royal John Rd., Grandview Trail 146 – Closed from NFSR 523 Silver Creek Rd. to Black Range Crest Trail 79. Trujillo Trail 134 – Closed from Black Range Crest Trail 79 to Private Seven Brothers – Closed from NFSR 886 Royal John Rd to Black Range Crest Trail 79.

Smoke/Air Quality:  The New Mexico Department of Health site also known as 5-3-1,  https://nmtracking.org/fire  has good information and guidance on mitigating your smoke exposure.  Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems are encouraged to take precautionary measures by staying inside during heavy smoke periods and avoiding outdoor activities.  Smoke will be visible and settle into the area of Kingston, Hillsboro, Lake Valley, and will also be visible on NM Hwy 152 and Interstate 25. Fire information can be found on nmfireinfo.com or on Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7494/ . For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website.

A public meeting will be held at the Black Range Lodge Amphitheater Wednesday evening May 26th at 6:00 p.m. The Lodge is located at 50 Main Street, Kingston, NM.

Announcement: A public meeting will be held at the Black Range Lodge Amphitheater Wednesday evening May 26th at 6:00 p.m.

Location:  The Drummond Fire is one mile south of Emory Pass and the Trujillo Fire is one mile south of the Drummond Fire on the Gila National Forest, Black Range Ranger District, Sierra County, NM

Start Date:  May 19, 2021                Size: 8 acres                          Cause:  Lightning

Summary:  The Drummond and the Trujillo Fires were ignited by lightning on National Forest System lands on the Black Range Ranger District, Gila National Forest May 19th. Both ignited within the 2013 Silver Fire scar. Late in the afternoon today the Drummond fire began putting up smoke and some active movement occurred outside yesterday’s footprint. The Trujillo fire has produced no smoke during the same period.

Current fire activity on the Drummond fire involves smoldering in dead fuels remaining within the Silver Fire scar. Unnegotiable downed timber and extremely steep terrain constitute dangerous conditions for firefighters to work directly at the fire’s perimeter.  Due to those conditions, firefighters and equipment remain poised at Emory Pass monitoring the fire and will respond as necessary should the fire begin to move. They will keep the fire south of Highway 152 and east of Black Range Crest Trail 79.

Objectives:  Currently the primary objectives include minimizing the impact of fire on wildland firefighters, public safety and protecting natural resources. 

Closures:  Black Range Crest Trail 79 – Closed from NM Highway 152 south to National Forest Road (NFRS) 886. Royal John Rd., Grandview Trail 146 – Closed from NFSR 523 Silver Creek Rd. to Black Range Crest Trail 79. Trujillo Trail 134 – Closed from Black Range Crest Trail 79 to Private Seven Brothers – Closed from NFSR 886 Royal John Rd to Black Range Crest Trail 79.

Smoke/Air Quality:  The New Mexico Department of Health site also known as 5-3-1,  https://nmtracking.org/fire  has good information and guidance on mitigating your smoke exposure.  Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems are encouraged to take precautionary measures by staying inside during heavy smoke periods and avoiding outdoor activities.  Smoke will be visible and settle into the area of Kingston, Hillsboro, Lake Valley, and will also be visible on NM Hwy 152 and Interstate 25. Fire information can be found on nmfireinfo.com or on Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7494/ . For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website.

Location:  The Drummond Fire is one mile south of Emory Pass and the Trujillo Fire is one mile south of the Drummond Fire on the Gila National Forest, Black Range Ranger District, Sierra County, NM

Start Date:  May 19, 2021                Size: 2 acres                          Cause:  Lightning

Summary:  The Drummond and the Trujillo Fires are burning on National Forest System lands on the Black Range Ranger District, Gila National Forest. Little to no fire activity has been observed today, there has been no active movement outside the current footprint of the fires since yesterday.

The fires are currently smoldering in the heavy dead and downed logs/snags. Smoke may be visible from both NM Highway 152 and I-25.  Because of the dead and down trees, snags, and extremely steep terrain, during the day there will be fire-fighting resources at Emory Pass monitoring the fire.

The 2013 Silver Fire eliminated the dense vegetation or ladder fuels (live or dead vegetation that allows a fire to climb up from the landscape or forest floor into the tree canopy), therefore, lessening fire intensity on the Drummond and Trujillo Fires while “chunking” away at dead down logs and cleaning up previous snag downfall from 2013 Silver Fire. Agency Administrators' strategy is to confine and contain the fire and keep the fire south of NM Hwy 152.

Objectives:  Currently the primary objectives include minimizing the impact of fire on wildland firefighters, public safety and protecting natural resources. 

Closures:  Black Range Crest Trail 79 – Closed from NM Highway 152 south to National Forest Road (NFRS) 886. Royal John Rd., Grandview Trail 146 – Closed from NFSR 523 Silver Creek Rd. to Black Range Crest Trail 79. Trujillo Trail 134 – Closed from Black Range Crest Trail 79 to Private Seven Brothers – Closed from NFSR 886 Royal John Rd to Black Range Crest Trail 79.

Smoke/Air Quality:  The New Mexico Department of Health site also known as 5-3-1,  https://nmtracking.org/fire  has good information and  guidance on mitigating your smoke exposure.  Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems are encouraged to take precautionary measures by staying inside during heavy smoke periods and avoiding outdoor activities.  Smoke will be visible and settle into the area of Kingston, Hillsboro, Lake Valley, and will also be visible on NM Hwy 152 and Interstate 25.

Fire information can be found on nmfireinfo.com or on Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7494/ . For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website.

ORDER NUMBER 03-06-02-21-015

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE

GILA NATIONAL FOREST

Black Range and Silver City Ranger Districts

DRUMMOND AND TRUJILLO FIRES TEMPORARY TRAIL CLOSURE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY

PROHIBITIONS:

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 551 and 36 C.F.R. 261.50(a) and (b) the following acts are prohibited within all National Forest System lands described in this Order and depicted on the attached map (“Restricted Area”) hereby incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A, within the Gila National Forest, Black Range and Silver City Ranger District in Sierra and Grant Counties in the State of New Mexico.

1.  Being on a trail. 36CFR261.55(a)

 EXEMPTIONS:

Pursuant to 36CFR261.50e, the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1.                        Persons with a Forest Service permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.

2.                        Any Federal, State or Local Law Enforcement Officer or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.

3.                      Resident, owners, lessees of land within the restricted area are allowed to enter only to the extent necessary to access their land.

RESTRICTED AREA DESCRIPTION:

All National Forest trails within the boundaries as described below and depicted on the attached Exhibit A.

Black Range Crest Trail 79 – Closed from NM Highway152 south to NFRS 886 Royal John Rd. Grandview Trail 146 – Closed from NFSR 523 Silver Creek Rd. to Black Range Crest Trail 79 Trujillo Trail 134 – Closed from Black Range Crest Trail 79 to Private

Seven Brothers – Closed from NFSR 886 Royal John Rd to Black Range Crest Trail 79

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this Order is for the protection of public health and safety due to the Drummond and Trujillo Fires.

IMPLEMENTATION

1.     This order will be effective on May 22, 2021 at 0600 (time) and shall remain in effect until August 30, 2021 or until rescinded.

2.     A map identifying the restricted trails is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A.

3.     Any violation of this prohibition is punishable as a Class B Misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both. (see U.S.C. 551, 18 U.S.C. 3571(b)(6), 18 U.S.C.3581 (b)(7)).

4.    This Order supercedes, rescinds, and replaces any previous orders prohibiting the same act covered by this Order.
5.    A complete description of the Restricted routes is described above. A Map identifying these restricted locations is attached and made a part of this Order as Exhibit A. See also the Gila National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila. . Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the Siler City Ranger District Office located at 3005 E. Camino del Bosque, Silver City, NM 88061 or by calling (575) 388-8201.

Done at Silver City, New Mexico this _22nd_ day of May, 2021.

Adam Mendonca Forest Supervisor

Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both. (16 U.S.C. 551 and 18 U.S.C. 3559 and 3571).