Salvation Fire in the Gila National Forest of southwestern New Mexico burned some 26,000 acres (105 km2)[1] from 27 June to 2 July 1974. It was started by lightning along with some 300 other wildfires,[2] but was one of the last to be contained due to the rugged terrain.
| Salvation Fire | |
|---|---|
| Date(s) | June 27 - July 2, 1974 |
| Location | Gila National Forest, New Mexico |
| Coordinates | 33°38′21″N 108°20′49″W / 33.63917°N 108.34694°W |
| Statistics | |
| Total area | 26,000 acres (110 km2) |
| Map | |
  | |
The fire was located some 60 miles north of Silver City and 24 miles east-southeast of Reserve.[3] In addition to local fire-fighting crews, crews came from as far away as Montana. In addition several U.S. Army units were dispatched to help contain the blaze.[3]
The fire received its name from the Forest Service, since it originated near Salvation Peak.[4]
Notes
edit- ^ Department of the Interior and related agencies appropriations for fiscal year 1976: hearings before a Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, United States Senate, Ninety-fourth Congress, first session, on H.R. 8773 Committee on Appropriations, US Senate, United States Congress, Government Printing Office, 1975, p. 1237
- ^ "300 Forest Fires In New Mexico" The Prescott Courier 2 July 1974, p. 5, col. 1
- ^ a b "Huge Blaze Raging in Gila Forest" Silver City Daily Press 29 June 1974, p. 1
- ^ "Welcome Rains Aid Fight" The Albuquerque Tribune 2 July 1974, p. A-14
References
edit- "Optimistic About Winning Battle Against Forest Fires" The Bryan Times 2 July 1974, p. 3, col. 2
- "Gila Forest Fire Nearly Controlled" Las Cruces Sun-News 2 July 1974, Vol. 94, No.80, p. 1, col. 2-7
- "Huge Blaze Raging in Gila Forest" Silver City Daily Press 29 June 1974, p. 1
- Swetnam, Thomas W. (1983) Fire History of the Gila Wilderness, New Mexico Masters Thesis, University of Arizona, Tucson, OCLC 11080516