June 8, 2018 
Soldier Canyon Fire Evening Update – June 8, 2018
Incident Name – Soldier Canyon Fire
Jurisdiction: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Mescalero Apache
Date/Time Detected: 6/7/2018 3:00 pm
Location: Soldier Canyon. 1 Mile North of the town of Mescalero
Lat/Long: Lat: 33°, 10′, 16.83″, Lon: 105°, 46′, 8.39″
Legal Description: T13S, R12E, NESW Sec 22
Firefighting Resources: 7 Hotshot Crews, 8 Type-6 Engines, 1 Type-3 Helicopter, 2 single engine air tankers (SEATs), 3 large air tankers, 1 very large air tanker (VLAT).
Fuel Type: Ponderosa Pine, Mixed Conifer, Pinon Juniper
Size: Approx. 1,300 Acres (Acreage numbers changed after more sophisticated mapping abilities became available.)
Containment: 5%
Cause: Human-caused, under investigation.
Closures: Highway 70 is open in both directions. Mescalero Apache Tribe has issued an official closure notice for the fire area.
Status: The Soldier Canyon Fire was previously being reported to be 2,554 acres. After more accurate mapping the fire is estimated to be 1,300 acres. Heavy air tankers and helicopters dropping retardant and water are helping to limit the fire’s growth, and today’s fire activity was moderate. Seven hotshot crews are constructing fireline directly on the east and west flanks.
The Type 1 Southwest Incident Management Team will assume command of the fire tomorrow at 6 a.m. The safety of the public and firefighters is our number one priority. Values at risk are structures in the Windy Point and Shadow Ridge areas, the White Mountain Subdivision, Mescalero High School, Tri-State power lines, and air quality.
The Soldier Canyon Fire is burning on BIA land on the Mescalero Apache Reservation, approximately one mile north of the town of Mescalero, NM.
Mandatory evacuations are in place for Blank Canyon, White Mountain subdivision, Windy Point and Shadow Ridge. The Red Cross is operating an evacuation center at the Mescalero Community Center. Highway 70 will remain open as long as it is not impacted by the fire. Law enforcement may stop traffic for short periods of time during heavy fire suppression activity. Please do not stop along the highway.
The Mescalero Apache Tribe appreciates all the support and offers for donations, they are currently accepting food and drink at the Mescalero Community Center gym.
If visibility is impacted by smoke, please visit the NM Department of Health’s smoke page: https://nmtracking.org/fire.
General Inquiries: Laura Rabon, 505-681-283, SoldierCanyonFire@gmail.com
Media and Congressional Contact: Pascal Enjady, 575-973-1113.
NM Fire Info 
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