New Fire Start on Carson National Forest Near El Valle, NM

Carson National Forest fire crews and local fire departments are taking suppression actions on the 100-acre El Valle Fire on Carson National Forest. It is located in the vicinity of El Valle and Las Trampas, NM.

The Taos County Sheriff’s Department has called for the following evacuations, using the Ready, Set, Go! system (List updated at 5:55 p.m.):

• Go: El Valle and Las Trampas
• Set: Ojitos, Upper Ojitos, Llano San Juan, Chamisal, Ojo Sarco
• Ready: Rodarte, Santa Barbara, Hodges, Truchas

Evacuation centers are located at (added 5 p.m.):

Truchas Services Center
60 County Road 75
Truchas, NM 87578

Peñasco Community Center,
14136 NM-75
Peñasco, NM 87553

This is an emerging incident and residents and visitors are urged to continue to follow developments and adhere to emergency personnel instructions.

Other closures include Highway 76 between Truchas, NM, and the intersection with Highway 75 in Peñasco, NM. The Santa Barbara Campground is also closed.

The fire is burning in timber with a rapid rate of spread. Aircraft and more ground crews are on order.

Smoke from the fire was first reported at 12:49 p.m.