June 16, 2022 
The Sixty-Six Fire, located on private land east of Albuquerque in Carnuel, remains estimated at 30 acres and 0% containment. Firefighters have stopped the forward movement of the fire to the south of Route 66. Some active flames are still present within the interior where there are thick bosque fuels. Fire activity has died down on both sides of I-40 with an increase in relative humidity and lower temperatures. Intermittent precipitation is present but very light. Wind is still a factor as it comes out of the canyon. Air support, including the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Metro 1 helicopter and a Very Large Air Tanker (VLAT), dropped water and fire retardant to support crews on the ground until the winds became too strong. Firefighters with the Forestry Division, Bernalillo County, Albuquerque Fire Rescue, and the US Forest Service (USFS) will remain on the scene throughout the night working to contain the Sixty-Six Fire.
Evacuations: Evacuations are still in place. The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office will notify residents of when they can return home.
Closures: I-40 will remain closed until inspections of infrastructure, including a bridge and powerline, are completed. At least one lane of Route 66 is open, but drivers are still urged to avoid the area if possible.
Smoke: The Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Air Quality Program has issued a Health Alert due to smoke until 9:00 a.m. Friday morning (06/17). 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.
This will be the last notification for the night unless significant changes occur.
Start Date & Time: 06/16/2022 1730
Start Location: Between I-40 and Route 66 in Carnuel, Bernalillo County
Latitude: 35.063900
Longitude: -106.45700
Cause of Fire: Under investigation
Area Vegetation: Bosque type fuels, grass, ponderosa
Estimated Acres Burned: 30
Ownership(s): Private
Structures Threatened: Y
Structures Burned: Undetermined
Evacuations: Y
Wendy Mason
Wildfire Prevention & Communications Coordinator
Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources Dept. (EMNRD) Forestry Division
wendy.mason@state.nm.us
NM Fire Info 
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