Lincoln National Forest- Guadalupe Ranger District- Rawhide Fire 8/13/2019

Incident Name – Rawhide Fire

Jurisdiction: Lincoln National Forest, Guadalupe Ranger District

Size:  800 Acres

Cause: Lightning

Date/Time Detected: Aug 8, 2019, 10:00 pm

Location: 5 miles NW of Sitting Bull Falls near Rawhide Canyon.

Values at Risk: None.

Firefighting Resources: 2 Engines, 1 Wildland Fire module. 30 total personnel.

Fire Update 8/13/2019: Fire behavior increased on the Rawhide Fire yesterday, resulting in the consumption of an additional 550 acres, bringing the total to 800 acres. The consumption of fuels was optimal during the peak burning period, which is normally mid-day to late afternoon when temperatures are hottest and humidity levels the lowest. Crews are targeting an additional 2000-3000 acres Rawhide Canyon and Indian Creek area.

As crews continue to conduct ignitions, smoke will be visible from Carlsbad, Queen, and other surrounding communities.

A closure order for Forest Service Road 522B was issued yesterday for public and firefighter safety.  The road is being closed to reduce the chance of traffic or pedestrian accidents while firefighters are in the area.

Fire managers have identified the 21,500-acre planning area where the Rawhide Fire can bring positive restorative benefits to the area. Low-intensity wildfire can be advantageous by providing an efficient way to remove the dead and decaying plant material that could act as fuel for future forest fires, as well as restore fire intervals to levels more consistent with historic conditions.

When the lightning-caused Rawhide Fire was first discovered on August 8, it was located about five miles northwest of Sitting Bull Falls. It is now spreading mainly to the west within the boundaries of the planning area. The Rawhide Fire poses no danger to structures or other local infrastructure.

Please visit the NM Department of Health’s smoke page for information on protecting your health during fires and on smoky days:  https://nmtracking.org/fire.