Latest news with #IronFire
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Iron Fire in Gila Wilderness now at 100% containment
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Iron Fire, burning in the Gila Wilderness north of Silver City, was 100 percent contained as of Monday afternoon, May 12, fire officials announced in a news release issued Tuesday morning. The fire started on May 4 and was caused by lightning, fire officials said. Windy conditions that first day quickly caused the fire to expand and it initially was estimated to have reached 901 acres. But after crews used GPS and walk-arounds to get a better estimate, the fire was estimated to be about half of that. Final estimates had the fire at 482 acres. Command of the fire will transfer back to the Gila National Forest at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, fire officials said. '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,' Incident Commander Marcus Cornwell said. '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 (dead trees) within the fire area and limit the use of aircraft, fire officials said. Three hotshot crews and three engines remain 'strategically positioned' to provide initial attack support for any new fire starts within the Gila National Forest, fire officials said. 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: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions remain in place on the Gila National Forest. For full details, visit: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Gov. Lujan Grisham on Face The Nation, Downtown shooting victim dies, Warmer and breezy, Iron Fire update, New Mexico volunteer wins award
2 pedestrians involved in northeast Albuquerque vehicle crash Watermelon Mountain Ranch holds 'Fashion and Compassion' show Roswell officer fired following battery charge Mother's Day celebrated in Old Town Card and Collectibles show wraps at Embassy Suites Trump says he will sign executive order on drug price caps U.S. and China announce deal to cut tariffs [1] Gov. Lujan Grisham talks immigration on Face The Nation – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham made an appearance on Face the Nation, where she talked about the military taking over an area along the southern border. The governor denounced the way the Trump Administration is dealing with immigration, saying the lack of due process and clear constitutional violations should be concerning to more people. She said she's most upset about communities being unfairly targeted. The governor was also asked about funding cuts to Medicaid, and said they are doing everything in the state to make sure those funds are taken care of. [2] Downtown Albuquerque shooting victim dies from gunshot wounds – The victim in a shooting that happened last Sunday in downtown Albuquerque has died. One week ago, APD arrested the two teens accused of the shooting after a fight with the victim. On May 4, APD found that David Segura had been shot. The two 18-year-olds, Matthew Akugue and Isaiah Martinez, were accused of shooting Segura, following a verbal altercation that became violent. [3] Very warm & breezy weather ahead with dry air – Stronger upper-level westerly winds will push some passing clouds with very few areas experiencing light rain, but most will remain mostly clear from clouds as temperatures will rise even more. Mountainous areas will reach the 60s and 70s, plenty warm enough for more snow melt in Sangre de Cristo Mountains through the San Juan Mountains, while most areas to the south will reach the 80s and 90s. [4] Iron Fire update – Officials say the Iron Fire, burning north of Silver City, is nearly contained. The fire started May 4th when lightning struck a tree in the Gila Wilderness. The fire is now 92% contained and has burned 482 acres. [5] Longtime Grant County volunteer wins coveted search and rescue award – He's been a volunteer for nearly 20 years, dedicating his time to serving the community in southern New Mexico. And now, he's the recipient of a highly coveted search and rescue award. Marc Levesque is the area commander for the New Mexico State Police Search and Rescue, which is just one of the many titles he's earned throughout his 19-year career. Now, he recently earned the coveted Ralph Dowdy Memorial Award. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Iron Fire in New Mexico's Gila Wilderness now at 92 percent containment
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Iron Fire, burning in the Gila Wilderness north of Silver City, is now at 92 percent containment and firefighters are expected to be off the fireline by Sunday night, fire officials said in an update issued on Sunday, May 11. The fire, burning 38 miles east of Glenwood, New Mexico, in the 2012 Whitewater Baldy burn scar, started on Sunday, May 4 and was caused by lightning, fire officials said. Wind quickly fanned the fire that first day and it was initially estimated to have reached 901 acres. Those size estimates have been downgraded as fire crews have been able to use GPS and walk-arounds to get a better idea of its scope during the past few days. Mop-up operations continue across the fire area. This effort involves extinguishing smoldering fuels, cooling hot spots, and mitigating hazards that could lead to re-ignition, fire officials said. 'With containment now at 92%, the Incident Management Team remains confident in the strength of established control lines and the work completed over the past week,' fire officials said. Helicopters are assisting with the removal of gear and supplies. Crews are being released from the fireline ahead of a forecasted 'wind event' for early this week with gusts expected to reach 45 mph, fire officials said. 'These conditions pose risks to aerial operations and ground crews due to the presence of hazard trees. To ensure the safety of all personnel, equipment and firefighters will be off the fireline by this (Sunday) evening,' fire officials said in their update. Road grading continues along Bursum Road to New Mexico Highway 12. Motorists are urged to use caution, slow down and turn on their headlights. A temporary flight restriction remains in effect over the fire area. Unauthorized drone use poses a 'serious risk' to aerial firefighting operations, fire officials said. Smoke throughout the fire area is minimal and is expected to remain low. There is potential during the wind event forecasted for Monday and Tuesday that smoke may become visible. This smoke will be within the interior of the fire as fuels such as heavy, downed logs continue to burn. For real-time smoke conditions, visit: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in place on the Gila National Forest. For full details, visit: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Iron Fire in Gila Wilderness at 77% containment
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Iron Fire, burning north of Silver City in the Gila Wilderness, is 77 percent contained as of Saturday morning, May 10, fire officials reported. For the third straight day, fire officials have also downsized the estimate of how big the fire is. Fire officials now say that the fire has burned 482 acres. The fire started on Sunday, May 4 and high winds that day quickly led to its quick spreading. Fire officials originally estimated the fire at 901 acres as of Sunday night. The fire is burning in the Whitewater Baldy burn scar from 2012 and is about 40 miles east of Glenwood, New Mexico. The size of the fire has been downgraded over the past three days as fire officials have gotten a better handle on its scope by using ground-based GPS mapping, providing a 'highly accurate and detailed representation of the final fire perimeter,' fire officials said. 'Unlike aerial infrared mapping, which offers rapid area coverage, ground-based mapping allows firefighters to physically walk the fireline and capture precise perimeter data, enhancing accuracy and ensuring ground-truth validation,' fire officials said in their press release. About 200 firefighters are still fighting the fire as mop-up operations are being done, fire officials said. 'This work involves extinguishing smoldering fuels, cooling remaining hot spots, and removing hazards to prevent re-ignition. Establishing this buffer zone well within the containment lines reinforces control efforts and further reduces the risk of fire escape. The depth and thoroughness of this mop-up, in combination with hazard mitigation, help ensure long-term security of the fire area,' fire officials said. Saturday, crews will complete mop-up in areas where infrared imagery from a drone has identified remaining heat. All firefighting personnel and equipment are expected to be off the fireline and back at the incident command post by Monday night and will get ready for their next assignments. Fire officials say the public should be aware of increased fire-related traffic in and around the fire area. Fire engines and support vehicles, including two road graders, will be working along the 28 Road from Negrito Fire Base, extending down Bursum Road to New Mexico Highway 12. Motorists are reminded to slow down, turn on their headlights and use caution when traveling in the area. Forest Road 141 will be closed at the San Francisco River Bridge starting Monday, May 12. Thisroad will be closed for several months and visitors should seek alternate routes on Forest Road 94 or Bursum Road. For hikers on the Continental Divide Trail, the Snow Lake recreation area has been reopened for public use. Hikers, however, are asked to consider using alternate routes when possible. For trail access updates and alternate route options, please contact: info@ A temporary flight restriction remains in effect over the fire area. Unauthorized drone use poses a serious risk to aerial firefighting operations, fire officials has been minimal in recent days. However, as temperatures rise, there is potential forincreased fire activity and smoke production. Smoke may be visible from Mogollon, Willow Creek, Reserve, CP Anderson, and Snow Lake. Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in place on the Gila National Forest. For full details, visit: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Iron Fire now estimated at 637 acres, 45% contained
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — For the second straight day, fire officials have downgraded the size of the Iron Fire that has been burning in the Gila Wilderness north of Silver City since Sunday, May 4. The fire is now estimated to be 637 acres and 45 percent contained, fire officials said on Friday morning, May 9. It was the second straight day that fire officials have reduced the estimate on the size of the fire as they have gotten a better idea of the area it is burning. It was initially estimated to be about 900 acres as of Sunday night. The fire is burning in the 2012 Whitewater Baldy burn scar, about 40 miles east of Glenwood, New Mexico. Nearly 190 firefighters remain on the scene, fire officials said. Officials say the fire was caused by lightning. Firefighters initiated a 'ground-based GPS perimeter walk' on Thursday to improve the accuracy of fire mapping. 'While the effort is still underway, the northern perimeter has been verified and combined with data from a previous infrared (IR) flight. Based on current assessments, the Iron Fire is estimated at approximately 637 acres. Crews will continue working to complete ground perimeter mapping to finalize the acreage,' fire officials said. Fire officials said that 'suppression objectives' have been met and accomplished in the Snow Lake and Willow Creek areas. Fire officials say they are closely monitoring a 'forecasted wind event' expected for early next week. 'Due to the presence of numerous snags (standing dead trees) in the fire area, firefighters will be strategically removed from the fireline ahead of the wind event to ensure their safety. Resources remaining on the incident will be available to assist with any new fire starts in the area,' fire officials said. A drone is currently supporting firefighting efforts by providing infrared imagery to assist fire managers in detecting remaining heat sources, particularly along the perimeter where they may pose a threat to containment lines. The drone pilot is coordinating closely with other air operations to ensure safety and avoid conflicts with ongoing helicopter missions to fight the fire, fire officials said. The Snow Lake area, including Dipping Vat Campground, Snow Lake Boat Launch, and the Snow Lake Trailhead, are now open to the public. Visitors are advised that firefighting personnel and equipment are still active in the area. Motorists are advised to use caution when driving on forest roads — reduce speed, stay alert and use headlights to improve visibility. For hikers on the Continental Divide Trail, hikers are asked to avoid the fire area and consider using alternate routes when possible. A temporary flight restriction remains in place over the fire area. Unauthorized drone use poses a serious risk to aerial firefighting efforts, fire officials said. Smoke presence has been minimal in recent days. However, as temperatures rise, there is potential for increased fire activity and smoke production. Smoke may be visible from Mogollon, Willow Creek, Reserve, CP Anderson, and Snow Lake, fire officials said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
