La Cañada Wildfire – Carson National Forest

Taos, NM, July 7, 2016—For Immediate Release. A wildfire was reported on the El Rito Ranger District yesterday afternoon approximately 4 miles north and east of the village of El Rito, off of Forest Road 44 near the village of Vallecitos. The La Cañada wildfire was reported at 15-20 acres burning in the Vallecitos Federal Sustained Yield Unit, a green wood fuel area.

Fire resources late last evening reported the fire at 55 acres with a hand line, a line cleared of fuels, completed around the perimeter of the fire. All lines held through the night and work on the fire will continue today. At this point, the cause of the fire is undetermined and under investigation.

This fire is being managed using a full suppression strategy. Local fire resources are on scene and include several engines, Carson Hotshots, the Type 2 Red River Chasers and a Type 3 helicopter from the Santa Fe National Forest.

Smoke will be visible from El Rito, Vallecitos and the surrounding communities. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found, at the New Mexico Department of Health website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.