Black Fire in the Gila triples in size in one day

Lucas Peerman, Silver City Sun-News
·1 min read

SILVER CITY - The Black Fire in the Gila National Forest erupted Monday, tripling in size from 18,000 acres to more than 56,000 acres. The fire is expected to see significant growth again Tuesday, according to the official fire report.

The Black Fire ignited Friday evening in the Aldo Leopold Wilderness about 24 miles north of Mimbres. The cause of the fire is unknown.

The fire report states the blaze made "a significant run to the east" Monday and crossed the Black Range Crest at Diamond Peak, meaning smoke from the fire became visible to those in the Rio Grande corridor, especially to drivers along Interstate 25 near Truth or Consequences.

More: New Mexico wildfire — one-quarter the size of Delaware — now largest in state's history

Smoke from the Black Fire in the Gila National Forest creates an ominous scene for drivers heading north on Interstate 25 between Las Cruces and Truth or Consequences on Monday, May 16, 2022.
Smoke from the Black Fire in the Gila National Forest creates an ominous scene for drivers heading north on Interstate 25 between Las Cruces and Truth or Consequences on Monday, May 16, 2022.

Fire crews have recommended evacuation for several in-holdings north of the AldoLeopold Wilderness Boundary. Poverty Creek and in-holdings south of Highway 59 are under Ready-Set evacuation levels. Partial closures are in effect for portions of Forest Road 150 and for Forest Service Trails 708, 713, and 716.

A Southwest Type 2 Incident Management Team is taking over the firefighting operation on Wednesday, which includes about 140 firefighters.

Lucas Peerman can be reached at lpeerman@lcsun-news.com or @LittleGuyInATie on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Silver City Sun-News: Black Fire in the Gila National Forest triples in size in one day