Between May 15th and May 17th, the fire grew over 27,000 acres per a day, fueled by red flag conditions.

On May 18, the Black Fire became the fourth largest wildfire in recorded New Mexico state history.

Gila National Forest was under level 2 fire restrictions and New Mexico Highways 59 and 152 were closed.

[9] Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and the historic mining town of Winston, New Mexico, are in the vicinity of the fire.

Protective measures have been deployed by the Forest Service in order to prevent damage to historical cabins.