BLM Las Cruces District – Uvas Fire – June 11th Evening Update

June 11, 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: 75%

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: 2 Engines with 6 firefighters, Type 3 Helicopter with 4 personnel and two additional firefighting personnel.

Today: Transfer of command from a Type 3 Organization to a Type 4 Organization occurred this morning. Firefighters continued their

Helicopter Assigned to Uvas Fire

work on containment of the fire. A helicopter and crew arrived today and will be assisting firefighters on the ground by conducting water drops on hot spots. They will also monitor remote, inaccessible portions of the fire during the next several days. Afternoon thunderstorms with lightning did emerge over southern New Mexico, including the Uvas Fire. A reconnaissance flight with the helicopter was planned for late afternoon.

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, Southern New Mexico, Southern NM, Southwest NM

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