July 10, 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: 100%
Resources: Firefighters from the Cibola National Forest and Santa Fe National Forest Hot Shots.
Strategy: The strategy for the Cottonwood Fire is full suppression. There was minimal growth overnight and throughout the day. Firefighters are now focusing on mop up. Resources will continue to monitor the fire footprint.
Fuels: Pinyon-Juniper, Ponderosa Pine, dead & down and grass.
Fire behavior: The Cottonwood Fire is smoldering within the interior of the perimeter in dead and down fuels and grass but exhibiting minimal fire behavior. The Ojo Peak fire scar helped in slowing the fires progression.
Weather: Warm temperatures continue through the afternoon with calm to very light winds. No precipitation is anticipated tonight. Tonight: Partly cloudy then clearing, with a low around 62. Winds will remain light.
Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public should be aware of fire fighters and apparatus in the area of FSR 422 and the Cottonwood Trailhead.
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: Minimal smoke isbeing observed at this time.
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
This will be the final update on the Cottonwood Fire unless conditions or the situation warrants additional information.
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