Successful Operations Continue on Hidden Valley Fire

Jemez Springs, NM – Fire crews will resume firing operations today to manage the lightning-caused Hidden Valley Fire at Valles Caldera National Preserve.

Yesterday, favorable conditions allowed fire fighters to treat over 300 acres on the east and northeast side of South Mountain.

Smoke from management operations will be visible from all directions coming into the Jemez Mountains area, and may linger in surrounding low-lying areas at night and in to the early morning. Individuals’ sensitive to smoke and people with respiratory or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures as operations continue through the weekend. Motorists on NM State Route 4 are urged to use caution as smoke from the Hidden Valley Fire could create brief periods of reduced visibility during the day and into the evening hours.

Weather conditions for today include maximum temperature of 84 degrees, winds south to southeast in the afternoon, at about four to seven miles per hour. Resources on scene include one hotshot crew, three type 2 IA crews, one fire use module, one rapid extraction module, and three engines.

For the duration of the Hidden Valley Fire, the South Mountain and Hidden Valley areas of the preserve will be closed to the public.

Fire updates are posted on the New Mexico Fire Information website at nmfireinfo.com and on @vallescaldera and http://www.facebook.com/vallescaldera

For more information contact Brittney Van Der Werff, brittney_vanderwerff@nps.gov, 505-205-4614