EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A fire in the Gila Wilderness, north of Silver City, was reported Sunday and has grown to about 900 acres, the U.S. Forest Service said.
The Iron Fire, as it is being called, was discovered at about noon Sunday in the Iron Mesa area of the Gila Wildnerss.
Driven by strong winds, it has grown to 901 acres, the Forest Service said as of Sunday evening.
Responding resources include two types of helicopters, two engines, the Gila Hotshots and the Idaho City Hotshots. Two additional hotshot crews have been ordered as well as four additional engines.
A helicopter was dipping at Snow Lake Sunday but strong winds were limiting the ability to use air resources to fight the fire, the Forest Service said.
The fire is located within the Whitewater Baldy burn scar and is burning in grass, heavy dead and and downed fuel and timber.
An evacuation order has been ordered for the Snow Lake area.
A “red flag” warning remains in effect until 9 p.m. Sunday due to dry conditions and strong winds gusting up to 40 mph, the Forest Service said.
Decreased winds, combined with cooler temperatures, increased relative humidity, cloud cover and possible rain showers are expected over the next few days, the Forest Service said.
Read: Read More