Water Canyon Fire – July 11 Update

Lightning Strike Fire on Magdalena Ranger District

Start Date / Time: July 10, 2023 / 1443

Cause: Lightning Strike        

Size: 80 acres as of 1300 on 7/11/23

Location: Water Canyon on the Magdalena Ranger District

Resources on scene: USFS Salmon Rappelers from Central Idaho, Lincoln NF Smokey Bear Hot Shots, Idaho City Hot Shots and 2 water tenders from Valencia County and Rio Community. Aviation: Two type 2 helicopters on scene conducting water drops.

Fuels: Pinyon-Juniper, timber and grass.

Fire behavior: The Water Canyon Fire is exhibiting active fire behavior.

Containment: 0% at this time.

Strategy: The strategy full suppression.

Values at risk: The Water Canyon Fire is not a threat to any values at risk or communities, and there are no evacuations in effect.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public should avoid the Water Canyon area of the Magdalena Ranger District to allow fire suppression 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 Hwy 60 in Magdalena, Socorro and San Antonio, NM within a 50 mile radius of the Water Canyon Fire. 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

Weather: Today: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.  https://www.weather.gov/

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.