Poso Fire Update – June 15, 2021 – Regional smoke continues to pour into the state mixing with local smoke from the Poso Fire.

Poso Fire Update – June 15, 2021

EL RITO, NM – June 15, 2021 – Regional smoke continues to pour into the state mixing with local smoke from the Poso Fire. Light winds combined with higher humidity will help firefighters with placing dozer and hand line which will help cut off fire progression into Borracho Canyon which will likely aid in the reduction of local smoke.  Smoke from the Poso Fire may impact Vallecitos and surrounding areas for a couple more days and combined with the regional smoke effecting the rest of the state will make for some smoky conditions over the next several days.  The Continental Divide Trail Coalition urges riders participating in the Great Divide Mountain Bike Rally to use alternate routes around the fire listed on their website. Wildfire smoke can reduce visibility on roadways and aviation travel routes.  People should exercise care when driving in smoky, low-visibility conditions.  Visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ to see data from our air quality monitors.

Start date:  May 29, 2021

Location:  Carson NF, El Rito Ranger District, 10 miles north of El Rito, adjacent to FR123

Cause:  Lightning                    Size:  1750 acres                    Percent Completed:  22%

Resources:  2 hand crews, 1 wildland fire module, 3 Type 6 engines, 1 Type 3 helicopter, 1 dozer, 2 water tenders, 1 ambulance, 1 Rapid Extraction Module (REM) Team, 1 unmanned aerial system (drone)

Fuels:  Ponderosa pine and mixed conifer

Operations: Infrared flight operations overnight show that fire lines continue to hold, and interior fuels are consuming which may produce some smoke impact for the next couple of days.  Line preparation and hand ignitions along the fire line will continue to help secure the fire’s edge.  Nighttime use of Unmanned Aerial System (drone) ignition operations will occur on the fire this evening.

Weather: Sunny then becoming partly cloudy isolated showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon any thunderstorms will drift from north to south at 5 to 10 mph, 20% chance of rain, maximum temperatures 86 to 90 degrees at 9000 ft elevation 90 to 94 degrees at 7500 feet elevation, minimum humidity 14 to 19%, light winds becoming south 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon gusty and erratic winds expected near thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Values at risk: Vallecitos watershed, cultural and historical sites.

Smoke:  As fire increases in size and firing operations commence, smoke may be visible from the communities of Abiquiu, Canjilon, Cañon Plaza, Vallecitos, La Madera, El Rito, Ojo Caliente, Petaca, Las Tablas and Tres Piedras which may continue to show for several days. For information on air quality and protecting your health, please visit https://nmtracking.org/fire. 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. For information on the HEPA filter loan program, go to https://facnm.org/smoke/ or contact the El Rito Ranger District 575-581-4554.  

A Temporary 24-Hour Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire. Unauthorized use of unmanned aircraft (also known as “drones”) in a fire area endangers the lives of pilots and firefighters and is strictly forbidden. Never fly unmanned aircraft over or near a wildfire whether there is a TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) in effect or not. Visit https://www.nifc.gov/drones and Know Before You Go for more information on drones and wildfires. 

Fire updates will be posted on the Carson NF Website, New Mexico Fire Information website, Inciweb and on the Carson Facebook and Twitter.