May 14, 2023 
May 14, 2023 – Containment of the Las Tusas Fire has reached 60%. Cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and cloud cover helped firefighters make significant gains in securing the fire line. No significant precipitation has occurred over the fire area. Suppression repair is taking place, and any damage caused by fighting the fire will be repaired as firefighters continue to secure the fire perimeter. As the incident progresses and containment rises the organization will continue to decrease as excess resources are demobilized. Continuing weather patterns should bring much needed moisture over the next few days with chances of precipitation predicted at 80% for the fire area today, and a 60% chance of precipitation on Monday.
Start date: May 10, 2023. Corrected from May 11 to reflect the actual start date of the fire
Location: West of Sapello, NM approximately 12 miles north of Las Vegas, NM
Cause: Unknown, under investigation
Size: 969 acres, acreage reduced due to more accurate mapping via GPS by aircraft.
Percent Contained: 60%
Resources: 2 Hotshot crews, 1 Type 2 IA Handcrew, 2 dozers, 8 engines, 1 Type 3 Helicopter.
Evacuations: Evacuations have been lifted. The Red Cross Evacuation Center at Abe Montoya Recreation Center and Storrie Lake are no longer evacuation centers.
Closures: Law enforcement is assisting with a traffic control presence in the area. Onlooker traffic has been heavy throughout the week.
Smoke: 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.doh.nm.gov/environment/air/FireAndSmoke.html. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.
Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. 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. The Forest Stewards Guild offers a HEPA Filter Loan Program that are available on a first come/first served basis. Additional information on air filters and the HEPA loan program is posted at http://www.santafefireshed.org/hepa-filter-loan-program#smokeanchor3.
Fire updates will be posted on the New Mexico Fire Information website, as well as the NM State Forestry Division Twitter.
NM Fire Info 
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