Midnight Fire Saturday morning update

Acres: 3,500 | Containment: 0% | Total personnel: 200 |  Start Date: June 9, 2022 | Cause: Under Investigation | Location: 8 miles NNE of El Rito in Rio Arriba County | Fuels: Heavy mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, brush, and grass. 

Highlights: The fire has grown to 3,500 acres with no containment. There are approximately 200 ground and air resources assigned with more being ordered. Structure protection remains in place in Potrero Canyon. Fire behavior may increase with continued hot and dry conditions across the fire area today.  

Resources from the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires were sent to support firefighting efforts on the Midnight Fire on the Carson National Forest yesterday. This fire is burning at the edge of private lands in Potrero Canyon. For emergency alerts in Rio Arriba County, sign up here: https://local.nixle.com/signup/widget/i/6807.  

Weather: Continued hot and dry weather will persist today and through the weekend bringing critical fire weather conditions on Monday. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-80s with a 15-40% relative humidity and a small chance of isolated thunderstorms. Winds will be out of the west-northwest today with sustained winds around 13 mph and gusts to 25 mph. 

Closures: The Carson National Forest has been under Stage 3 fire restrictions, which closes the Forest, since May 17.