Return to normal business hours Tuesday, October 15
SILVER CITY, NM, Oct. 7, 2024 – All Gila National Forest offices will be closed on Monday, October 14 in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day. Normal office hours will resume on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
The day of observance was established in October 2021 by Presidential Proclamation, which states, "Since time immemorial, American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians have built vibrant and diverse cultures — safeguarding land, language, spirit, knowledge, and tradition across the generations. On Indigenous Peoples' Day, our Nation celebrates the invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples, recognizes their inherent sovereignty, and commits to honoring the Federal Government's trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations."
The forest is currently experiencing high fire danger due to unseasonably hot and dry conditions. When you visit the forest, avoid parking your hot undercarriage over tall vegetation, do not allow chains to drag behind your vehicle, dispose of cigarettes properly, and never leave your campfire unattended. You can help continue the indigenous tradition of safeguarding the land from damaging wildfire by using plenty of water to drown your fire and a shovel to stir water into the coals, Use the back of your hand to feel for heat, adding more water and stirring again until coals are cool to the touch. For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or
