Highway 380 Fire – Lea County – March 30, 2022

The Highway 380 Fire, located near the community of Tatum in Lea County, is now 80% contained and estimated at 4,000 acres. Highway 380 has reopened, and evacuations were lifted around 8:00 p.m. last night (03/29). A power line is suspected of starting the fire on Tuesday, March 29 at approximately 1:30 p.m. Today, resources will remain on the scene to mop up hot spots and secure containment lines. Interior pockets of unburned fuels may continue to produce light smoke. This will be the last notification for the Highway 380 Fire unless there are significant changes.

Start Date & Time: 03/29/2022 approx. 1334

Start Location: HWY 380 & Shults Road, Mile Marker 237, Lea County

Latitude: N 33.257

Longitude: W -103.145

Cause of Fire:  Powerline

Area Vegetation: Grass

Estimated Acres Burned: 4,000

Ownership(s): Private & State

Structures Threatened: NO

Structures Burned: NO

Evacuations: NO-Lifted

Wendy Mason
Wildfire Prevention & Communications Coordinator
Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources Dept.
Forestry Division
wendy.mason@state.nm.us