Fire Information: (575) 388-8300
Acres: 5,740 Start Date: May 11, 2014
Cause: Human Location: 10 miles north of Silver City, NM
Containment: 35% Fuels/Topography: Timber, grass/rugged terrain
Total personnel: 647
Today's Actions: The Signal Fire continues to be attacked with a full suppression strategy. Firefighters are intensely focused on the eastern portions of the fire. Extremely steep, rocky, rough terrain coupled with areas of dense vegetation, continue to challenge fire line completion efforts. A bulldozer was used to construct fireline for an anchor point south of Corner Spring. Aircraft remain assigned to support firefighters by dropping retardant and water, providing critical suppression assistance to ground forces. Structure protection personnel prepared for the protection of historic Allie Cabin and began structure assessments along State Route 35 in the Mimbres Valley. The remainder of the fire perimeter is being improved utilizing direct attack tactics and mop up. This effort is intended to increase perimeter security prior to expected challenges from dry windy conditions this weekend.
Weather: Temperatures were warmer today but winds more calm. Temperatures are expected to gradually increase into the weekend with lowered humidity each day through next week. Possible critical dry fire weather conditions are expected to enter the area starting Friday afternoon. The weekend looks to be setting up for critical fire conditions with a combination of unstable air mass, very low relative humidity, and increasing winds. By Monday and Tuesday, winds are forecast to gust to 40 miles per hour, creating likely red flag warnings.
Silver City, Pinos Altos, Gila Cliff Dwellings and local special events are NOT being impacted by the Signal Fire.
Smoke: The most significant smoke impacts from the Signal Fire will occur when morning inversion causes smoke to settle into valleys near the fire. Information on wildfire smoke and your health can be found on the New Mexico Department of Health's website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.
Information for this fire, including maps and photos, can be found at: