Poso Fire Update – June 18, 2021 – Fire crews will continue to focus on securing and maintaining the current portions of the fire and evaluating opportunities for future ignitions within the planned boundary.

Poso Fire Update – June 18, 2021

EL RITO, NM – June 18, 2021 – Fire crews will continue to focus on securing and maintaining the current portions of the fire and evaluating opportunities for future ignitions within the planned boundary. The objectives remain removing hazardous fuels, decreasing the probability of high severity wildfires in the future, and reducing exposure to firefighters and communities. Smoke produced by the fire decreased significantly from prior days. Daytime temperatures will remain high. Stronger showers and thunderstorms are predicted in the afternoon and evening and erratic winds should be expected.

Start date:  May 29, 2021

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

Cause:  Lightning                                   Size:  2050 acres                                                                    Percent Completed:  33%

Resources:  1 hand crew, 1 wildland fire module, 2 Type 6 engines, 1 Type 3 helicopter, 1 dozer, 2 water tenders, 1 ambulance

Fuels:  Ponderosa pine and mixed conifer

Operations: Firefighting crews will focus on maintaining and securing the fire to ensure the fire stays within the established boundary. Operations will continue to promote the objectives of reducing hazardous fuels, reducing future risk of wildfire, and reducing exposures within the existing ignition boundaries. Future work outside of the existing ignition boundaries will be considered if conditions are conducive to safe and effective operations.  

Weather:  A sunny morning will be followed by a slightly cloudy afternoon with a chance of rain showers and thunderstorms stronger than over the past few days. Expect above normal highs up to 80-84 degrees with possibly erratic wind gusts in the afternoon as the thunderstorms approach the area.

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.