Wolf Draw Fire Update – June 3, 2021

SANTA FE, NM – June 3, 2021 – Crews have nearly completed constructing direct control lines around the perimeter of the Wolf Draw Fire, which was caused by an illegal abandoned campfire that escaped the fire ring in the northwestern corner of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) over the Memorial Day weekend.

The west side of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) is currently under Stage 1 fire restrictions, which prohibit dispersed campfires. More than 85% of wildfires are caused by human carelessness. Forest visitors are asked to use extreme caution when fire restrictions are in place. Violations are punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations and/or by imprisonment for not more than six months.

Start date:  May 29, 2021

Location:  Approximately 30 miles north of Cuba and 11 miles northwest of Regina on the Cuba Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF), Rio Arriba County

Cause:  Human                                    

Size:  712 acres                                                                 

Percent Contained:  45%

Resources:  1 Type 4 engine, 1 Type 6 engine, 5 hand crews, 1 ambulance, 1 Rapid Extraction Module (REM) Team, 1 air attack platform, 2 Type 1 helicopters and 1 Type 3 helicopter.

Fuels:  Ponderosa pine and mixed conifer

Operations:  The Type 3 Incident Management Team is implementing a full suppression strategy to confine and contain the Wolf Draw Fire. In spite of the steep, rugged terrain, crews are close to completing the arduous work of constructing direct control lines around the perimeter of the fire. Sporadic precipitation continues to assist firefighters by keeping fire behavior at minimal levels with some smoldering and creeping through vegetation.

Weather: A pattern of scattered showers and thunderstorms on Thursday will continue into Friday with some cells tending to be drier with gusty erratic winds. Winds tonight will be out of the northeast at 10 to 15 mph.

Values at risk: Private property, oil and gas infrastructure

Smoke:  Minimal smoke impacts are expected from the Wolf Draw Fire due to its remote location; however, depending on fire behavior, smoke may be visible from a distance.

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, Inciweb and on the SFNF Facebook and Twitter.

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