Cibola NF&NG – Wildfire Update – 7/07/2015- Red Canyon Fire Remains at 17,843 Acres

Magdalena, NM; July 7, 2015 – The Red Canyon fire on the Magdalena Ranger District remains at 17,843 acres.  The lightning-caused fire is located in the San Mateo Mountains, 2 miles southeast of Grassy Lookout and 27 miles southwest of Magdalena, NM.

Resource Specialists are gathering information on heritage sites and range improvements in the current management area and fire crews are implementing fire protection preparations on those identified sites.  In addition, one Wildland Fire Module is monitoring fire behavior and gathering data on fire effects.  The fire continues to burn in ponderosa pine and mixed-conifer forests.  The Red Canyon fire is enhancing wildlife habitat, while protecting cultural resources, reducing hazardous fuels and returning fire to the ecosystem.  There are 43 fire personnel assigned to the fire, one Hot Shot crew, one Wildland Fire Module, one helicopter, and support personnel.

The monsoonal flow of wetting precipitation will remain through next week.  Smoke from the Red Canyon is minimal from US Hwy 60 west of Magdalena, NM, Datil, NM and Pie Town, NM and along I-25 south of Socorro, New Mexico due to the precipitation received on the fire line.  When driving on Forest Roads during approaching storms, please drive carefully, reduce your speed, drive with your lights on and turn around don’t drown at water crossings.  Also, when hiking trails, stay away from ridge tops and seek lower elevations until thunderstorms pass.

The following Forest Roads (FR) are closed until further notice: FR 96; FR 138; FR 478A; FR 478B; FR 330; FR 331; FR 378, and FR 478.  The following trails are closed: Trails 28, 31, 43, and 63.  All the listed Forest Roads and trails are within the working boundaries of the Red Canyon fire perimeter.

Fire Information: Updates will be available by contacting the Magdalena Ranger District at:  (575) 854-2281 as well as online at New Mexico Fire Information website at www.nmfireinfo.com , Twitter:@Cibola_NF, www.facebook.com/cibolanf, and www.inciweb.nwcg.org