Lincoln National Forest: Cherry Fire Update July 17, 2020

Jurisdiction: Lincoln National Forest, Sacramento Ranger District

Size: 3/4 of an acre

Date Detected: July 16, 2020

Cause: Lightning                                                        

Lat/Long: 32°50’32.1″N, 105°49’54.49″W

Fuel Type:  Ponderosa Pine, Pińon-Juniper, Oak Brush              

Values at Risk: None                                     

Location: 0.6 miles west of West Side Road in Cherry Canyon. Approximately 7.5 miles from High Rolls.

Firefighting Resources: Lincoln National Forest fire personnel are on scene

Fire Update: Firefighters continue to suppress the Cherry Fire, which was started by lightning yesterday, Thursday, July 16, 2020. The fire grew slightly and is now ¾ of an acre. When a wildfire occurs, fire managers develop a plan to suppress it where conditions and terrain are favorable to firefighters and we can do so safely. The fire is burning in Cherry Canyon with limited access in steep terrain. Fire managers are using a confine and contain strategy, which means fire personnel are holding fire growth to a defined area.  They are using roads, natural fire breaks, firefighters, and firing operations to implement this strategy. There are no values at risk in the immediate fire area, as this is a remote part of the forest.

Smoke: Smoke may be seen from West Side Road, High Rolls, Mountain Park, and from the Alamo Peak area. Smoke will drift to the northeast today towards Mountain Park and may settle into low areas adjacent to the fire overnight.  Please visit the NM Department of Health’s smoke page for information on protecting your health during on smoky days:  https://nmtracking.org/fire.

Weather: Weather often dictates how a fire will spread. Temperatures in the mid-80s are expected today with winds out of the south/southwest at 5-10 mph. Winds will shift this evening to come from the south/southeast. There is a 20 percent chance of rain this afternoon, which will increase to a 40-60 percent chance of rain over the weekend.

Daily fire updates can be expected each afternoon until they are no longer warranted.

PIO: Laura Rabon, 505-681-2837; laura.rabon@usda.gov