Gila National Forest

08/25/2026

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) detected in Gila NF lakes.

New Mexico Environment Department detected harmful algae in Quemado Lake and Lake Roberts.

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🚫 Quemado Lake and the surrounding areas are CLOSED to the public.
The area closure prohibits public access to Quemado Lake parking lot, boat dock, dam area, Quemado Lake Fishing Trail #144, Lakeshore Access Trail #1441, Juniper-Lake Access Trail #1442, and Cove-Lake Access Trail #1443 and Quemado Lake itself.
⛔ The water is unsafe for drinking, swimming, wading, boating, paddling, water skiing, or fishing, and dogs should not be allowed to play in the water.

View the full alert: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts/quemado-lake-area-trail-closure-harmful-algal-blooms

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⚠️ Lake Roberts is still open, but please take caution.
🫗 Do not drink untreated lake water.
🏊🏻 Do not swim in algae blooms.
🐕 Keep children, pets, and livestock away from algae blooms. Rinse thoroughly with clean water if contact occurs.
🎣 Rinse fish with clean water prior to cooking thoroughly and eat only the fillet portion.
🌿 Avoid algae on the shoreline and do not let animals eat it.

View the full alert: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts/harmful-algae-detected-lake-roberts

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From the New Mexico Environment Department:
Learn more about HABs: https://www.env.nm.gov/surface-water-quality/habs/

View the HAB Advisory Map for New Mexico: https://experience.arcgis.com/.../page/NMED-HABs-Mapper

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are overgrowths of certain algae in water that pose a health risk to people and animals. In New Mexico, HABs are most often attributed to cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae. Cyanobacteria generally grow in lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams when water is wa...

08/25/2026

Current closures/alerts on the Gila (will update as conditions change):

⛺ Campgrounds ⛺
🏕️ Bighorn CLOSED for shade ramada installation (expected reopening Friday 9/4)

More info: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts/bighorn-campground-temporary-closure
Or call Glenwood RD (575) 539-2481
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🏕️ Ben Lilly and Willow Creek CLOSED for post-fire flooding risks (expected re-opening in October 2026)

More info: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts/ben-lilly-and-willow-creek-campground-closure
Or call Reserve RD (575) 533-6232

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🚧 Road Construction 🚧
🛣️ Road rehabilitation and maintenance on FR 141 (Reserve-Beaverhead Road) from the forest boundary near Reserve to the intersection with FR 153 (about 18 miles). Construction has started and work is underway. Closures begin early October 2026, and all closures will be signed.

More info: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts/fr-141-construction-near-reserve-expect-periodic-delays-starting-october-2026
Or call Reserve RD (575) 533-6232
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🛣️ Romero Creek bridge replacement on FR 220 north of Luna.

More info: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts/romero-creek-bridge-replacement-and-traffic-closure-north-luna-fr-220
Or call Quemado RD: (575) 773-4678

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⚠️ Other closures ⚠️
🔥 Bear Fire Area/Road Closure - all National Forest lands and roads east of Catron County Road A095 (Mangas Road).

More info: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts/bear-fire-area-road-closure
Or call Quemado RD: (575) 773-4678
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🏞️ Quemado Lake and surrounding areas CLOSED due to Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)

More info: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts/quemado-lake-area-trail-closure-harmful-algal-blooms
Or call Quemado RD: (575) 773-4678

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👉 View all Gila NF alerts: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts

08/25/2026

🧑‍🚒 We're hiring permanent fire positions!

🗺️ Duty locations available across the forest in Silver City, Luna, Quemado, Reserve, Truth or Consequences, Mimbres, Glenwood, and Hurley.

👉 View all Gila listings and point of contact info at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/working-with-us/careers/fire-hire

☑️ Apply through USAjobs.gov

08/25/2026

🚧 Construction has begun on FR 141 (Reserve-Beaverhead Road)!

🚗 This long-term maintenance project will improve numerous potholes and loose gravel on 18 well-traveled miles of FR 141, increasing traveler safety for business, recreation, and private land access.

⛔ Construction has started and work is underway. Closures will begin in October 2026. Any closures will be signed. At least one lane will remain open on weekends throughout the construction process. During weekdays, the road may close entirely for certain periods.

🌲Construction will take place from the forest boundary near Reserve to FR 141's intersection with FR 153.

❄️ Construction will continue through mid-November when winter conditions set in and will resume in spring 2027, weather permitting. The project should wrap up in July 2027.

View the full news release: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/newsroom/releases/forest-road-141-rehabilitation-and-maintenance-has-begun

08/24/2026

⚠️👀 Harmful Algal Bloom Watch for Lake Roberts 🏞️

New Mexico Environment Department detected harmful algae in Lake Roberts. The lake is still open, but please take caution.

🫗 Do not drink untreated lake water.
🏊🏻 Do not swim in algae blooms.
🐕 Keep children, pets, and livestock away from algae blooms. Rinse thoroughly with clean water if contact occurs.
🎣 Rinse fish with clean water prior to cooking thoroughly and eat only the fillet portion.
🌿 Avoid algae on the shoreline and do not let animals eat it.

NMED continues to actively monitor lake conditions as resources allow. We will update our notice if conditions change.

View the full alert: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts/harmful-algae-detected-lake-roberts

Learn more about HABs: https://www.env.nm.gov/surface-water-quality/habs/

View the HAB Advisory Map: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/6329d5b4c47045b59bd52275bbf23a75/page/NMED-HABs-Mapper

08/20/2026

🎉Bighorn and Cosmic Campgrounds are getting upgrades! 🥳

⛔For public safety during construction, both campgrounds will be CLOSED Monday Aug. 24 through Friday Aug. 28.

😎Over the next week, crews will install shade ramadas for visitor comfort at these two campgrounds on the Glenwood Ranger District.

⛺We expect the campgrounds will re-open Saturday, Aug. 29, construction permitting.

Alternative developed camping: Cottonwood Campground (about 11 miles north of Cosmic)

Dispersed camping available along many Forest Service roads in the area. Pack out your trash, please!

View the full alert and Forest Closure Order: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts/bighorn-and-cosmic-campground-temporary-closures

08/07/2026

UPDATE 8/17: Cattleguard install delayed! Post below has been updated to reflect new timeline.

Cattleguard replacements on FS Road 522 in the Tierra Blanca area

📅 Monday, Aug. 17 through Friday, Aug. 21

🛣️ Road will remain open - at the installation sites, drive through the livestock gates (you must open and close them!)

⚠️ Drive slowly and watch for workers and heavy equipment on the road

Maps show the location of the project area - a larger view to orient viewers, and a close up of exact replacement locations

08/05/2026

🚫Temporary Closure at Quemado Lake: Harmful Algal Blooms☣️

The area closure prohibits public access to the Quemado Lake parking lot, boat dock, dam area, Quemado Lake Fishing Trail #144, Lakeshore Access Trail #1441, Juniper-Lake Access Trail #1442, and Cove-Lake Access Trail #1443 and Quemado Lake itself.

☀️Harmful algal blooms (HAB) occur most often during the summer when sunlight warms stagnant water with high nutrient levels, creating a hospitable environment for them.

⚠️View the full alert: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts/quemado-lake-area-trail-closure-harmful-algal-blooms

📰View the news release: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/newsroom/releases/quemado-lake-closed-due-toxic-algae-0

08/04/2026

📵Phones are down at the Silver City RD and Supervisor's Office!

If you have been trying to reach us, we apologize. Our phones have been down since July 22. We are working to get them up and running.

In the meantime, stop in or email [email protected] for questions for the Silver City RD or Supervisor's Office.

We apologize for this inconvenience. Phones at other offices should be up and running: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/offices.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

07/30/2026

With increased monsoonal moisture the Gila National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations at the Sheridan slash disposal site located off Sheridan Ridge Road (Catron County Road 54) between August 3 and September 30, 2026, weather and fire conditions permitting.

🧑‍🚒We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.

🤔We will evaluate weather conditions in the hours before a burn begins. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled.

👀Watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns.

💨Smoke may be visible along U.S. Highway 180 and may linger at night and in the early morning, but will normally decrease significantly throughout the day. For more detailed information about air quality, go to AirNow online (airnow.gov) or download the app.

🚘When driving, slow down and turn on your headlights when you encounter smoke on the road.

👉To learn more visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/newsroom/releases/gila-national-forest-conduct-prescribed-pile-burns-sheridan-slash

📷Forest Service Photo of the Sheridan slash disposal site during previous ignitions.