Salvation Fire

Wildfire in New Mexico, United States

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.

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

^ 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

"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