Gila National Forest
Flood Watch issued October 29 at 11:16AM MST until November 2 at 5:00AM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall over saturated soils and waterways that flooded as recently as last week. * WHERE...Coconino County, Navajo County, and Apache County. This includes Navajo Nation. * WHEN...From Saturday evening through late Sunday night. * IMPACTS...Flash flooding will be possible in creeks, normally dry washes, swimming holes, and over recently burned areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Another round of rain and thunderstorms is expected Saturday night through the early morning hours of Monday. An additional 1 to 3 inches of rain will be possible over higher elevations, with up to an inch at lower elevations. This rain will fall on top of already saturated soils, increasing the threat of flooding. - Additional information is available at weather.gov/flagstaff.
Flood Watch issued October 29 at 10:44AM MST until November 2 at 5:00AM MST by NWS Tucson AZ
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE...A portion of Southeast Arizona, including the following areas, Baboquivari Mountains, Catalina and Rincon Mountains, Dragoon and Mule and Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains, Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains, South Central Pinal County, Southeast Pinal County, Tohono O'odham Nation, Tucson Metro Area, Upper Gila River Valley, Upper San Pedro River Valley, Upper Santa Cruz River Valley/Altar Valley and White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties. * WHEN...From Saturday evening through early Monday morning. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - A strong weather system approaching the area will bring widespread to numerous showers Sunday, November 1. Moderate to locally heavy rainfall with rainfall totals 0.5 to 1 inch possible in the valleys and 1 to 2+ inches possible in the mountains. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Flood Advisory issued October 29 at 3:38PM MDT until October 29 at 8:45PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
* WHAT...Arroyo and small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected. * WHERE...West Central Grant County in southwestern New Mexico... Northwestern Hidalgo County in southwestern New Mexico... * WHEN...Until 845 PM MDT. * IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas. River or stream flows are elevated. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 338 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms. This will cause arroyo and small stream flooding. Up to 1 inch of rain has fallen. - Additional rainfall of up to 0.5 inches is expected over the area. This additional rain will result in minor flooding. - Some locations that will experience flooding include... Redrock, Virden, Gila Lower Box and Gila Middle Box. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Overview
Gila National Forest is a 3.3 million-acre forest in southwestern New Mexico, home to the world's first designated wilderness area—the Gila Wilderness (established 1924). The forest is currently open with some localized restrictions. Key current conditions: Quemado Lake and nearby recreation areas remain closed due to harmful algal blooms detected in fall 2025. The forest is conducting prescribed fire operations through spring 2026 as weather permits. The 2025 wildfire season saw significant activity including the Trout Fire (discovered June 12) and Goose Fire, both of which required area closures and Highway 15 restrictions through summer, though most of these closures have been lifted as suppression repair continues. Stage 2 Fire Restrictions may be in effect depending on conditions. The forest encompasses three major wilderness areas: the 559,688-acre Gila Wilderness, the 202,016-acre Aldo Leopold Wilderness, and the 29,304-acre Blue Range Wilderness. Popular destinations include the Catwalk recreation area, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument (NPS-managed), and Cosmic Campground—North America's first International Dark Sky Sanctuary on National Forest lands. Always check current alerts for fire restrictions, area closures, and road conditions before your visit, as conditions change frequently during fire season.
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