El Macho Fire: Morning Update 6/6/24

Edit (3:20 p.m. 6/6/24): The start date of the fire has been updated to reflect the correct date.

Update: 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 El Macho fire is estimated at 7.3 acres with zero percent containment. The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

Yesterday’s initial attack from air support and federal, state and local resources proved effective at impeding the fire’s forward progress, and all lines held overnight. Today, incident command was transferred to the Forestry Division, and crews will work to strengthen containment lines throughout the day.  

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

Weather: Today is sunny, with a high near 91. Relative humidity at 15%. Winds from the north at 14 mph, becoming south in the afternoon. Tonight, mostly clear, with a low around 56. Southwest wind 5-10 mph becoming northeast after midnight. 

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. 

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Acres: 7.3 acres                                                                                                    

Start Date: June 6, 2024, 2:06 p.m. 

Location: 8 miles north of Pecos, NM        

Cause: Under investigation                                                                                        

Fuels: Ponderosa pine  

Containment: 0%