Sardinas Canyon Fire – June 28, 2018 Update

Acres: Approximately 1672 acres
Percent Containment: 0%
Start Date: June 24, 2018, 2:09pm
Cause: Unknown, under investigation
Jurisdiction: Carson National Forest, Camino Real Ranger District
Fuels: Aspen, high altitude mixed conifer, and sub-alpine fir
Origin Location: Sardinas Canyon, 18 miles southeast of Taos, New Mexico
Resources: 156 personnel, 4 crews, 4 engines, 3 dozers, 3 helicopters, 1 fixed wing aircraft, 1 skidgen, and 1 road grader

High temperatures are expected to continue throughout the day. A chance of thunderstorms developing this afternoon may produce gusty, erratic winds. It is likely fire within the perimeter will produce notable smoke as temperatures increase throughout the day. Fire activity and smoke will vary with weather, vegetation and terrain.

Yesterday, the fire continued to grow on the east and north flank which remains west of Forest Service Road 76. Firefighters secured fire line around the La Junta Summer Homes, and staged fire engines in the area for additional structure protection. Today, firefighters will continue to prep and hold Forest Service Road 76, while utilizing options to secure the line and prevent the fire from progressing east of Forest Service Road 76. Crews will also work on prepping the north eastern flank of the fire toward Little Korea. Due to the remote location and rough terrain firefighters are implementing tactics that will yield a high probability of success while allowing for the safety of firefighters. Additional management actions will be further determined by fire activity, weather, and continued progression of the fire and forest closure.

There will be a community meeting about the Sardinas Canyon fire and forest closure today, June 28th at 6:00p.m. in the board room at the Mora Independent School at #10 Ranger Drive in Mora, New Mexico. Incident management team personnel and fire cooperators will provide an update on the fire.

Mora, Chacon, Holman, Angel Fire, Black Lake, Taos, Peñasco, Ranchos De Taos, Talpa, Pot Creek, Tres Ritos, Valle Escondido, and Taos Canyon communities may be impacted by smoke because of prevailing winds. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health’s website.

The Carson National Forest is closed, prohibiting public access to the forest (with the exception of the Jicarilla Ranger District, Eagle Rock Lake and Mallette Park on the Questa Ranger District will remain open during daylight hours). All activities are prohibited including recreation and wood gathering on the Carson National Forest. Campgrounds, trails and trailheads, and National Forest System roads will be closed to the general public. County and state roads that cross Forest Service lands are not under the Forest Service’s jurisdiction and will remain open to vehicular traffic. Additional closure information can be found online at the Carson National Forest webpage.
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire. Unauthorized use of unmanned aircraft (also known as “drones”) in a fire area endangers the lives of pilots and firefighters and is strictly forbidden. Never fly unmanned aircraft over or near a wildfire whether there is a TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) in effect or not.
Visit https://www.nifc.gov/drones and Know Before You Go for more information on drones and wildfires.

Sardinas Canyon Fire Info: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5868/ (air quality info, maps, etc.) and http://nmfireinfo.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CarsonNF/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarsonNF Email: sardinascanyonfireinfo@gmail.com Public Line: (575) 737-8784 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)