Macho Fire Update May 25, 2021

This will be the final update on the Macho Fire unless conditions change significantly.

Start date: May 23, 2021                                      

Cause: Lightning           

Location: Macho Canyon on Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF), about 12 miles northwest of Pecos

Size: Less than 1 acre  

Resources: 1 hotshot crew

Fuels:  Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and heavy dead and down logs

Operations: The hotshot crew worked on containment today by mopping up and cold trailing, a method of controlling smoldering fire by feeling the edge of a burning area with the hand and digging out or trenching around burning spots. This is the final news release on the Macho Fire unless conditions change significantly.

Weather: The forecasted weather for tonight is partly cloudy with temperatures ranging between 41 and 45 degrees and southwest winds are expected at 7 to 11 mph.

Values at risk: Private property nearby

Smoke:  Smoke management is a key part of the planning and implementation of managed wildfire. Smoke from the Cuervito Fire may impact Santa Fe, Pecos, Las Vegas, Rowe, Glorieta, La Cueva, North and South San Ysidro, Ilfeld, San Jose, San Juan, Tecolote, Soham, Ribera, Serafina, Bernal, Anton Chico, Mineral Hill, San Geronimo and Pablo as well as the I-25 from the Caja Fire is likely to be visible from Santa Fe to Los Alamos and along the I-25 corridor and the 599 Bypass, mingling with smoke from the Medio Fire and multiple fires burning in adjacent states. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into the Santa Fe area to see the latest smoke information.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

Fire updates will be posted on the SFNF website, New Mexico Fire Information website and on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.

# # #

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.