El Macho Fire Evening Update 6/6/24

Update: Today, response crews mopped up a whole chain — 66 feet of distance — along the perimeter of the El Macho fire, bringing the incident’s containment to 50%. No visible smokes are showing at this time, but there are still points of heat in the interior. Crews will continue suppression efforts over the coming days until the fire is fully contained and out. This will be the final notification on the El Macho fire unless significant changes occur. 

The El Macho Fire was discovered at 2:06 p.m., Wednesday, June 5, 2024; it is located on private land eight miles north of Pecos, NM. Fuel types in the area include ponderosa pine and no structures are under threat. The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

Resources: Crews are responding from Forestry Division, the US Forest Service, San Miguel County, and local volunteer fire departments.  

Weather: Currently 96 degrees, with a relative humidity of 5%. Winds from the west at 13 mph. Tonight, mostly clear, with a low around 58. Southwest wind 5-10 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Tomorrow, a slight chance of rain between noon and 3pm, then a slight chance of thunderstorms after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 10-15 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%. 

Evacuations: None at this time. 

Smoke: 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 this fire on New Mexico Fire Information and New Mexico Forestry Division’s X account and Facebook. Fires can also be viewed through the New Mexico Forest & Watershed Institute’s Fire Viewer. 

– 

Acres: 7.3 acres                                                                                                    

Start Date: June 5, 2024, 2:06 p.m. 

Location: El Macho canyon, 8 miles north of Pecos, NM        

Cause: Under investigation                                                                                        

Fuels: Ponderosa pine  

Containment: 50%          

##                

George Ducker

Communications Coordinator, New Mexico State Forestry Division – EMNRD

george.ducker@emnrd.nm.gov