NM State Fires – August 14

Wildfire Notification #17 

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. Increased humidity and precipitation throughout the weekend benefited firefighting efforts throughout the state. This will be the final Forestry Division notification on these fires, unless there are significant changes. 

246 Fire 

• Situation: The 246 Fire started August 10 at 11a.m. and is located north of Capitan off Highway 246 near Shippy Ranch. Currently, the fire is 27.7 acres and is 65% contained. This weekend, crews were able to establish and secure containment lines while beginning mop-up in the perimeter. The fire did receive light moisture. Today’s efforts will continue mop-up and securing containment lines, weather permitting. The cause of the fire is under investigation. 
• Resources: A total of 16 personnel are engaged in this effort, including one hand crew and four engines. Over the weekend, some resources were released.  
• Weather: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after noon. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. A flood watch is in effect until 9pm this evening. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Low-water crossings may be flooded. 
• Evacuations/closures: There are no evacuations or road closures.  

Hart Canyon Fire 

• Situation: The Hart Canyon Fire is 17 acres and 80% contained. Over the weekend, the Questa Ambulance and American River Hotshots were released. Storm cells developed over the fire, and precipitation caused resources to move off the location. Today, the fire will be monitored and once the storms have passed, crews will assess when to re-engage suppression activity. The Hart Canyon fire is 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.  
• Resources: There are 20 personnel currently assigned.   
• Weather: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after noon. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. A flood watch is in effect until 9pm this evening. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Low-water crossings may be flooded. 

Sunset Fire 

• Situation: All fire lines on the Sunset Fire continued to hold through the weekend; the fire is in monitor and patrol status. The Incident Commander has been transferred to the nearby 246 fire. The lightning-caused Sunset fire started on Saturday, August 5, south of Highway 70 between Capitan and Roswell.  
• Weather: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. East wind 10 to 15 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. 

West Fire 

• Situation: The lightning–caused West fire is 200 acres and at 50% containment. This weekend brought no growth on the fire, and no smoke is visible from Highway 60. Socorro District resources will continue to monitor through today’s weather. 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: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. East wind around 15 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. 

Fire Weather Summary 

• Scattered showers and a few thunderstorms this morning. Thunderstorms will become more numerous this afternoon especially along and west of the central mountain chain. Thunderstorms will pose the typical hazards of small hail, gusty downburst winds and dangerous cloud-to- ground lightning, along with locally heavy rain. 
• Western New Mexico – Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 74. Southeast wind around 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. 
• Southeast New Mexico – A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. East wind 10 to 15 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. 

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. Fires can also be viewed through the New Mexico Forest & Watershed Institute’s Fire Viewer.  

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George Ducker
Communications Coordinator, NM Forestry Division
george.ducker@emnrd.nm.gov