August 8, 2023 
The New Mexico Forestry Division, along with other local, state and federal resources are responding to several wildfires in New Mexico. Here are updates on two of the fires burning in the State of New Mexico’s jurisdiction (non-federal, non-Tribal, and non-municipal lands).
Sunset Fire
Date / Time/ Situation: A GPS acreage assessment has brought the number of burned acres down from 325 to 133.6. As of this morning, all lines are holding. Yesterday’s firefighting activity included mopping up fire lines and addressing interior smokes. The Sunset fire is 50% contained. The lightning-caused fire started on Saturday, August 5, south of Highway 70 between Capitan and Roswell.
Resources: 50 personnel are engaged in response, including two hand crews, air attack and multiple engines from local and state resources.
Weather: The high temperature today is 90 degrees with a 20% chance of precipitation.
Evacuations/closures: There are no evacuations or road closures. No structures are currently threatened.
West Fire
Date / Time/ Situation: The lightning–caused West fire received moderate rain yesterday, however limited access is impeding crews from further securing the perimeter. More precipitation forecasted for today should help to keep the fire at its approximate size of 200 acres. Containment remains at zero percent. The West fire started August 1 on the Double H Ranch west of Magdalena, NM. Fire behavior has been low to moderate backing, flanking, and interior torching.
Resources: 12 personnel are engaged in response, including one hand crew and three engines.
Weather: The high today is 86 degrees with a 60% chance of thunderstorms and precipitation. West wind 10-15mph.
Evacuations/closures: There are no evacuations or road closures.
Fire Weather Summary
| Broad overall improvement in the fire weather environment across north-central and northwest New Mexico this afternoon and evening as compared to the past several days. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected with a 40-60 precent chance of wetting rain for both the Black Feather and American Mesa Fires. Higher humidity & rainfall chances and less heat potentially area-wide by next weekend. |
- Northern New Mexico – FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING FOR THE NORTHWEST PLATEAU AND NORTH CENTRAL MOUNTAINS…Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. West wind 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
- Southwest New Mexico – Heat decreases, but scattered storm chances remain. Typical summer
monsoon thunderstorm impacts are expected including areas of heavy rain and gusty winds.
Smoke Conditions
Fire activity in New Mexico and other states is leading to increased smoke conditions. A daily Smoke Outlook for affected areas is available through the U.S Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program.
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.
Internet / Social Media
The public can continue to follow fires in New Mexico on InciWeb, New Mexico Fire Information and New Mexico Forestry Division’s X account (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
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George Ducker
Communications Coordinator
New Mexico State Forestry Division – EMNRD
NM Fire Info 
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