July 6, 2018 
Morris Creek Fire Receives Brief Heavy Period of Rain
Friday, July 6, 2018
Morris Canyon Fire Information Phone
(575) 383 4597
Location: 15 miles west of Miami, New Mexico, in Colfax county
Start Date: June 29, 2018 Cause: Lightning
Size: Approximately 1,604 Acres Percent Contained: 46%
Vegetation: Timber, closed timber litter, grass Resources Assigned: 255 personnel
Incident Commander: Alan Sinclair Type 2 SW Incident Management Team #3 Incident Commander
Summary: The Morris Creek fire, burning on the UU Bar Ranch, Philmont Scout Ranch, and State Land, received a heavy but brief rain shower Thursday afternoon. The rain, part of the flow of moisture moving into the state from the Gulf of Mexico, should continue its presence into the weekend. The moisture aided fire fighter efforts, although heavy fuels remain significantly dry.
Yesterday’s rainfall and increased humidity stopped additional fire growth and reduced fire activity to smoldering. Crews spent the day working to improve lines and as a result, the southern portion of the perimeter is now considered contained. Prior to yesterday afternoon’s rainfall, fire fighters detected a small “slop-over” fire outside the fire line on the north east side and quickly stopped its movement. A road grader was used to improve a road to Eagle Nest, which will allow fire fighter access from the west, a significant safety improvement.
Local first responders were closely watching Cimarron Creek for increased flows from rainfall off the Ute Park fire’s scar due to reports of rock slides along U.S. Highway 64 west of Cimarron. The road was cleared by 9PM. For up to date road closure information refer to New Mexico Department of Transportation Road Advisory Hotline 511.
Today fire fighters will continue to monitor the northern perimeter for movement. A contingency group will be working to clear brush around a repeater north of the fire in case the fire makes future movement across Rayado Canyon. Several crews will be released from the Morris Canyon fire today to rest, resupply, and prepare to respond to other incidents.
Team #3 Fire Behavior Analyst Stewart Turner this morning stated: “Yesterday’s rainfall and increased humidity will result in smoldering behavior by the fire and likely limited smoke. Additional rainfall predicted for the next week will further diminish fire behavior. Lightning experienced yesterday could result in new starts being detected over the next several days if the sun begins to shine, drying fuels. We are not finished with this fire until significant moisture falls on the heavy downed fuels to bring their moisture content to a much higher level.”
For further information please visit the following links:
NM Fire Info: https://NMfireinfo.com
Facebook: https://facebook/Morris Creek Fire Information
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident5887
Air Quality: https://bit.ly/2INMsSI
NM Fire Info 
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