Big Tank – San Miguel County – Update #1 

The Big Tank fire is burning east of Las Vegas, south of Highway 104, in San Miguel County. The fire is at 30% containment and has burned through 859 acres, fueled by grass and pinyon/juniper. No structures have been lost and none are currently threatened.  

The fire was caused by lightning and discovered at 12:30 a.m. this morning. Multiple San Miguel County volunteer fire departments responded and proceeded work on containment through the night.  

Currently, Forestry Division is assisting all resources to secure the perimeter, which includes active flame on the northeast flank moving south. A Red Flag Warning has been issued for the area, and winds are expected to increase from their current speeds of 15 mph from the southwest.  

Start Date & Time: 5/4/23 @ 0030 

 Start Location: 15 miles east of Las Vegas NM, near Highway 104 mile marker 15  

 Latitude: N 35.47764 

 Longitude: W -104.90214 

Cause of Fire:  Lightning  

 Area Vegetation: Grass, Pinyon/ Juniper  

 Estimated Acres Burned:  859  

 Ownership(s): Private 

 Structures Threatened: None 

 Structures Burned: None 

 Evacuations (Y or N & #): None 

— 

George Ducker 

Communications Coordinator 

New Mexico State Forestry Division – EMNRD  

george.ducker@emnrd.nm.gov