Indios Fire Update, May 23, 2024

Acres: 851                                                                   

Start Date: 5/19/2024

Location: 7 miles north of the village of Coyote, N.M.    

Personnel: 127

Containment: 0%                                                         

Fuels: Timber, litter, understory

Resources: 3 crews | 1 helicopter | 5 engines| 1 road grader | 2 masticators

Highlights: The Northern New Mexico Type 3 team, Incident Commander Luke McLarty, assumed command of the fire on Wednesday, May 22. The fire is currently burning within the Chama River Canyon Wilderness along the southwestern boundary, northwest of the 2017 Ojitos Fire burn area. Fire managers intend to use a containment strategy within a predetermined area to allow fire to play its natural role in this fire-dependent ecosystem.  

Several factors, including firefighter safety, terrain, resource availability, fire behavior, past prescribed fire units and vegetation management projects in the area, threats to public safety and property, and fire season outlook and modeling, inform wildfire management decisions. The Type 3 IMT, working with the Santa Fe National Forest, will discuss altering management strategies if conditions change.

Fire Activity: On Wednesday, the fire was most active along the south and southeast perimeter. Today, fire managers may utilize a helicopter to drop water and cool this edge of the fire, giving crews time to continue prepping the line along Forest Roads 11 and 169E. The Carson and Sacramento Interagency Hotshot Crews and two masticators are prepping the line along FR 169E, and the Santa Fe IHC will begin work today.

Several local engines patrolled and secured a constructed handline on the northwest perimeter that runs west to FR 169E. Crews were also clearing along Forest Roads 8 and 11. Working with Resource Advisors, a grader operator began road improvement on FR 8 to allow safer access to the area. Fire managers continue to scout further out from the fire on the south and east sides to look for options should the fire move further in those directions.

Weather: Critical fire weather conditions are expected today and tomorrow. Light winds will gradually increase each morning, peaking in late afternoon or early evening. Today’s high temperature will be around 73 degrees, with a minimum humidity of 8-12 percent. Winds will be west at 5-7 mph in the morning and 13-18 mph in the afternoon, with gusts to 30 mph possible.

Smoke: Smoke is visible and local communities may experience smoke impacts along Highways 96, 112, and 84.

Closures: The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) is closed from Skull Bridge to the Highway 96 crossing. Please use alternate routes. Please drive slowly and watch for fire personnel on FRs 8, 11, and 169E and avoid them if possible.

Evacuations: There are currently no evacuations.

More Information: 575-323-2290 | 2024.indios@firenet.gov | x.com/SantafeNF | facebook.com/santafeNF

inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmsnf-indios-wildfire