Sixty-Six Fire, Bernalillo County – June 16, 2022

The Sixty-Six Fire is a new wildfire that is currently burning on both sides of I-40 east of Albuquerque in Carnuel. The fire is estimated at 30 acres and 0% contained at this time. The Bernalillo County Fire Department reports that I-40 is closed in both directions near the fire area as well as frontage roads in and near Carnuel. An unknown number of structures have been directly impacted by the fire. The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office has evacuated multiple residents for their safety. The Sixty-Six Fire is very active, fueled by strong winds blowing through the canyon. The Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Air Quality Program has issued a Health Alert due to smoke until 9:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. Numerous resources are on the scene from the Forestry Division, Bernalillo County, Albuquerque Fire Rescue, and the USDA Forest Service. The public is urged to avoid the area for the next several hours. This is an emerging incident and more information will be provided when available. 

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. 

Incident Name: Sixty-Six Fire

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: Y

Evacuations: Y

Wendy Mason
Wildfire Prevention & Communications Coordinator
Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources Dept. (EMNRD)

Forestry Division wendy.mason@state.nm.us