BLM Las Cruces District – Uvas Fire – June 10th Evening Update

June 10, 2020 by lbenavidez 0 Comments

Location:  Uvas Mountains on BLM Land, approximately 11 miles SW of Hatch, NM and 18 miles N of Interstate 10 between Deming and Las Cruces, NM.

Date detected:  June 6, 2020   Cause:  Lightning   Vegetation:  Grass, Brush, Pinon, Juniper

Current size: 1,135 acres (increase of 5 acres from previous reports is due to more accurate mapping)

Percent contained: 55%

Summary: The Uvas Fire was started by lightning from a thunderstorm that moved over the southern portion of New Mexico on the evening of June 5th. The fire was detected the next day, as smoke became very visible from Hatch and travelers along I-10, and I-25. An aerial reconnaissance flight was conducted as BLM fire engines mobilized to the area.

When first detected, the fire was burning along the top of the mountain range at an elevation of 6500 ft., surrounded by steep, rugged terrain.

Resources: 4 Engines with 14 firefighters plus 10 additional firefighting personnel.

Uvas Fire on June 7th

Today: Firefighters were successful in holding and reinforcing the line around the Uvas Fire. Most of the northern perimeter of the fire is contained, which reflects the increase in containment to 55%, as of this evening. Firefighters have been successful in keeping the fire from growing beyond the current acreage of 1,135. Beginning tomorrow, a helicopter and crew will be assigned to deliver water drops to firefighters on the ground and monitor inaccessible portions of the fire over the next several days. Unburned vegetation on the interior of the fire is expected to continue to smolder.

Although smoke emissions from the fire have lessened significantly, light drift smoke may still be visible from:  Hatch, Las Cruces and surrounding areas, as well as I-10 (between Deming and Las Cruces) and I-25 (south of T or C).

Firefighter and public safety remain the top priority on the Uvas Fire.

 For additional information, please visit or call the following:

Active Wildfire, BLM, NM Fire Info, Smoke, Southern New Mexico, Southern NM, Southwest NM

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