Recent wildfires burned through the Gila National Forest area — burn debris and ash visible throughout. Near-complete absence of wildlife observed in heavily burned zones during the expedition. The combined impact of flooding and fire is affecting archaeological sites in the region 🔥😔
Wildfire devastation eliminated wildlife and archaeological preservation in Gila
Key facts
- Recent forest fires penetrated from Snow Lake to West Fork region
- Burn debris and ash layers visible throughout surveyed areas
- Wildlife completely absent in burned areas
- Only two ravens observed in narrow canyons during entire expedition
- Bear and mountain lion scat found but no live animals seen
- No jaguar evidence found despite being secondary expedition goal
- Flooding and geological fragility destroy archaeological artifacts over millennia
Sources
Firefighters respond to new fires on Gila National Forest | NM Fire Infonmfireinfo.com
Firefighters are responding to two new wildfires approximately 15 miles north of Silver City. The fires are located east and west of New Mexico Highway 15.
Nearly 20,000 acres burned in wildfires across Gila National Forestabqjournal.com
Two wildfires on opposite ends of the Gila National Forest have torched more than 19000 acres, prompting some highway closures and ...
Five fires are burning in the Gila National Forest - Wildfire Todaywildfiretoday.com
Five wildfires burning in the Gila National Forest in southwest New Mexico are all being managed using a strategy of less than full suppression.
Fire - Gila National Forestfs.usda.gov
Many smaller wildfires and prescribed fires have scorched the stems of trees, burned dead and down fuels, and burned back grass and brush, ...
Lightning sparks new fires in the Gila National Forest - KRWGkrwg.org
The Turkeyfeather wildfire is a natural fire ignited by lightning, on June 30, 2025, that was followed by the nearby Chicken wildfire, also a ...
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