July 9, 2022 
Reported start date / time: July 9, 2022 / 1500
Cause: Lightening strike.
Size: 2 acres
Location: 1 mile from Cottonwood trailhead, adjacent to Ojo Peak burn scar, west of FSR 422, Southeast Manzano Mountains – Mountainair Ranger District, Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands (NF & NGs) Torrance County.
Containment: 0%
Resources: Firefighters from the Cibola National Forest and Santa Fe National Forest Hot Shots.
Strategy: The strategy for the Cottonwood Fire is full suppression.
Fuels: Pinyon-Juniper, Ponderosa Pine, dead & down and grass.
Fire behavior: The Cottonwood Fire is exhibiting moderate fire behavior in timber, burning in dead and down and grass. Ojo Peak fire scar slowing down fire activity to the NE and NW.
Weather: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a steady temperature around 80. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a steady temperature around 80. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public should stay away from FSR 422 and the Cottonwood Fire operations.
Drones pose a serious risk to firefighting and can cause air operations to cease.
The public is reminded that “If you fly, we can’t!”
Smoke may be visible in the surrounding areas of Mountainair, Manzano and Willard.
Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website nmtracking.org
All fire updates will be posted on the Cibola NF & NGs website, New Mexico Fire Information website, and the Cibola NF & NGs Facebook & Twitter pages.
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