Gila National Forest receives heavy rain, lightning

Category: Local News Releases Local News Releases
Published: 22 July 2024 22 July 2024

Precipitation lowers fire behavior, lightning brings new fires

SILVER CITY, NM, July 22, 2024 – Gila National Forest firefighters were kept busy over the weekend, chasing numerous lightning strike fires as they continued to work the Lolo, Ridge, and Paramount fires. Widespread precipitation was delivered to the forest over the weekend, ranging from about a half-inch of rain at Mogollon to 2.15 inches of rain at Luna.

Fire activity is winding down on the Ridge, Lolo, and Paramount fires, after each of them received significant rain over the weekend. The Lolo Fire is 100% contained, with no smoke visible over the weekend. The Paramount Fire is 99% contained, with some residual interior heat and smoke that may be visible during the hottest period of the day. The Ridge Fire is 75% contained with a few sources of heat smoldering in interior heavy fuels. A trail closure remains in effect for the Ridge Fire.

"The weekend's thunderstorms brought significant moisture to all parts of the Gila, reducing fire behavior on the three fires we've been managing for the past couple of weeks," said Deputy Forest Supervisor Bret Ruff. "At the same time, frequent lightning strikes started more than a dozen new fires over the weekend. Firefighters are responding to each to assess and prioritize suppression response."

Continued rain is forecast for the Gila National Forest over the next week, which, with past precipitation, will continue to support greening of fine fuels, reducing their ability to carry fire. Additional lightning can be expected to bring more wildfire starts.

Nationally, fire season is winding up, and the National Interagency Fire Center increased the national fire preparedness level to PL5, which means that the potential for emerging significant wildfires is high and expected to remain high in multiple geographic areas, while national resources are already heavily committed.

This is the last update for the Lolo, Ridge, and Paramount fires, unless fire behavior increases significantly. For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or Maribeth.Pecotte@usda.gov .

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