Skiles 429 Fire – Union County – April 30, 2022

The Skiles 429 Fire, located northeast of Clayton along the Oklahoma border in Union County, is currently estimated at 2,500 acres and 15% contained. Extremely dry conditions and strong wind gusts fueled this fire on Friday, which burned across NM Highway 406 and into Oklahoma. Firefighters were able to stop forward progress on the Oklahoma side. A decrease in relative humidity and increasing temperatures are creating more activity today (04/30) on the northern and southern edges of the fire perimeter. The fire is burning in deep canyons, which is preventing crews from fighting the fire directly. Heavy equipment is being used to assist firefighters with containment and a helicopter will assist with water drops.

Individuals sensitive to wildfire smoke should take precautions and use the New Mexico Department of Health 5-3-1 Visibility Method to determine if it’s safe to be outside. Learn more at
https://nmtracking.org/environment/air/FireAndSmoke.html.

Start Date & Time: 04/29/22 @1510

Start Location: NE Clayton west of HWY 406, 3 miles from Oklahoma border

Latitude: 36.806179

Longitude: -103.017216

Cause of Fire: Under investigation

Area Vegetation: pinon-juniper, grass

Estimated Acres Burned: 2,500

Ownership(s): Private and state

Structures Threatened: Yes

Structures Burned: No

Evacuations: Yes, Oklahoma

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