Comanche Fire Update | June 26, 2023

Smoke seen settling into a desert valley under a blue sky.
Smoke seen in the Ghost Ranch area.

Upcoming Actions: Red flag conditions, with very dry and breezy to windy conditions, are forecasted today. Fire crews continue to hold and patrol the fire line, gridding for potential spot fires. Suppression tactics have reduced fire activity, and crews will continue to improve containment lines, working in steep and rugged terrain. Suppression activities are concentrated on the west side of the fire, where most heat remains.

While the Comanche Fire’s ultimate acreage will be less than initially anticipated, it has had the desired ecological effects in burned areas. The consumed surface fuels in the understory make way for improved forest health.

Smoke: Smoke may be visible from Canjilon, Abiquiu, El Rito and as far as Santa Fe and Taos. It may impact the communities of Abiquiu, El Rito, Medenales, Hernandez and the Española Valley. Temporary smoke monitors have been placed at the El Rito Ranger Station, Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu and the Chevron station in Hernandez. Air quality data is available from the Fire and Smoke Map at fire.airnow.gov.

Special Messages: There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the fire area. For the safety of aerial resources and fire crews on the ground, please do not fly drones in the fire vicinity. If you fly, we can’t. 

Closure: Temporary partial road closures are in effect on Forest Roads 137 and 20.

Fast Facts

Size:  1,937 acres
Cause: Lightning
Fuels:  Ponderosa pine and mixed conifer
Values at risk: Cultural/historical sites.
Percent Completed: 19%
Resources:  3 hand crews, 2 wildland fire modules, 6 engines, 1 dozer, 2 water tender, 2 REMS teams, total personnel 183

Keep updated with the Comanche Fire on InciWeb. Contact fire public information officers at 2023.comanche@firenet.gov or 505-418-1038.

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