Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands – Roberts Fire Received Rain on the Magdalena Ranger District

Magdalena, NM; July 17, 2019 –  The Roberts Fire, in the Apache Kid Wilderness in the San Mateo Mountains, located on the Magdalena Ranger District, is a lightning caused fire that began July 13, 2019.  The fire size remained at 600 acres due to precipitation received over the fire perimeter.  There are with approximately 193 personnel assigned.  Resources include two Wildland Fire Modules, three Type I Hot Shot crews, three Type 6 Engines, one assigned dozers and one Type 3 Helicopter.

The fire continues to burn in Ponderosa Pine, mixed-conifer, grass, and brush in steep, terrain with limited access.  Fire behavior is of minimal intensity with occasional creeping, smoldering, and backing down ridge lines.  Pre-determined management areas will be identified as the fire continues to burn, so that it can be kept within established boundaries.

In order to reduce firefighter exposure, fire managers are utilizing a values-driven strategy which incorporates a mix of tactics when and where the probability of success is high and the risk is acceptable in relationship to values while meeting land management objectives.  Additional management actions will be further determined by fire activity, weather, and the progression of the fire, with the objective of returning fire back into the ecosystem.  Fire lines will be prepped for potential burn out operations.

Road and trail use is not advised in the area due to fire traffic and the proximity of the fire.  The weather calls for afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms to move slowly over the fire perimeter though mid-week.  Erratic winds which could gust up to 50 mph will be possible near thunderstorms.  Smoke visibility is minimal from New Mexico 52, New Mexico 107, and U.S. Highway 60 west of Magdalena, NM and I-25 south of Socorro, NM as fire behavior slows.  The fire size could increase as conditions dry out throughout the week with district closures likely to be implemented on Forest Roads and trails.

For more information about the Roberts Fire, please contact the Magdalena Ranger District during regular business hours at 575-854-2281.  You may also visit the New Mexico Fire Information website at https://nmfireinfo.com , https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6441/ Twitter:@Cibola_NF, and www.facebook.com/cibolanf