August 10, 2023 
Good afternoon,
The New Mexico Forestry Division would like to update you on several wildfires that are requiring the attention of state, local and federal resources in New Mexico.
Hart Canyon Fire
- Situation: The Hart Canyon Fire is burning in Colfax County, north of Philmont Scout Ranch. The fire was started by lightning at 1:30pm on August 9, and is burning in mixed conifer and ponderosa pine. Air attack estimates the fire at 15-20 acres and at this time it is zero percent contained. Today, hand crews are working to secure lines set by yesterday’s retardant drops.
- Resources: 76 personnel are currently assigned to the fire, including three hand crews, six engines, two bulldozers and air resources.
- Weather: Mostly sunny this morning, then partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s. West winds around 15 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.
- Evacuations/closures: Campers and livestock from nearest Philmont backcountry camps are being evacuated. The fire is three miles away from the nearest structures.
Sunset Fire
- Situation: All fire lines continue to hold; the fire is in monitor and patrol status. Containment remains at 50%. 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: Partly cloudy. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. Highs in the mid 80s. West winds around 15 mph this afternoon. Chance of rain 20 percent.
- Evacuations/closures: There are no evacuations or road closures. No structures are currently threatened.
West Fire
- Situation: The lightning–caused West fire remains at 200 acres and zero percent containment. Yesterday brought no growth on the fire, and no smoke is visible from a distance. Fire continues to receive slight moisture. Due to the remote nature of the fire, containment has remained at zero until crews are able to further assess. The West fire started August 1 on the Double H Ranch west of Magdalena, NM, on Aug 1.
- Resources: 12 personnel are engaged in response, including one hand crew and three engines.
- Weather: Mostly sunny this morning, then mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s. Northwest winds around 15 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
- Evacuations/closures: There are no evacuations or road closures.
Fire Weather Summary
Today`s round of afternoon and early evening showers and thunderstorms will be isolated and favor the western third of the state. Monsoon moisture increases Friday with showers and thunderstorms favoring the western two thirds. Moisture continues to trend up over the weekend with very good chances for showers and thunderstorms along with locally heavy rainfall and the potential for flash flooding. The active monsoon pattern continues into Monday and possibly Tuesday. High temperatures trend cooler into the weekend.
Northern New Mexico – Mostly sunny this morning, then partly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s. West winds 15 to 20 mph this afternoon. Chance of rain 40 percent.
Southwest New Mexico – Partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms this morning, then mostly cloudy with showers and thunderstorms likely this afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. West winds around 15 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.
Smoke Conditions
Fire activity in New Mexico and other states is leading to increased smoke conditions. A daily Smoke Outlook for Northern and southern New Mexico 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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