Pine Lodge Fire Update July 5, 2019

Detected: June 19, 2019, approximately 2:00 p.m.

Cause: Unknown, Under Investigation

Containment: 52%

Fuel Type: Grass and Pinon/Juniper, Mixed Conifer

Current Size: Approximately 15,044 Acres

Location: Off Highway 246 between Roswell and Capitan Between Boy Scout Mountain and Seven Cabins Road and up into the Capitan Mountain Wilderness Area.

Summary: The Pecos Type-3 Team transferred command of the Pine Lodge Fire back to the Smokey Bear Ranger District on the Lincoln National Forest this morning at 6 am.

The Pine Lodge Fire is 52 percent contained. The containment percentage number is likely to remain the same over the next few days or possibly weeks, despite minimal fire activity. This is due mainly to inaccessibility to the wilderness area. Firefighters continue to mop-up hot spots within the fire’s perimeter and patrol completed fire lines. Unburned pockets of vegetation will continue to burn within the fire’s established perimeter, and smoke may be visible.

Rehabilitation of all fire and dozed lines has been completed. With the rain yesterday, remote areas of the wilderness show minimal fire growth.

Weather: Rain is forecasted for the weekend.

Firefighting Resources: Fire officials will continue to staff the fire at the necessary level. Rehabilitation work is complete and fire activity is minimal; therefore fire personnel are being released to other incidents.

Closures: A forest closure is in place for the Capitan Mountains east of Capitan Gap. Public entry into the area is prohibited. Official closure information and map is posted on the Pine Lodge Fire Inciweb page and Lincoln National Forest website. The closure will remain in place until official’s deem it safe to allow public re-entry.

All other areas within the Smokey Bear Ranger District are open for recreation. Visitors are reminded to always be careful with fire while enjoying our forests.

For more information on the Pine Lodge fire please visit:

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6397

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LincolnNF

Call Pine Lodge Fire Information at 575-208-4402.