FINAL UPDATE on OSHA Fire within Sandia Mountain Wilderness

Sandia Ranger District – Sandoval County – New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, NM, June 29, 2024– Heli-rappel crew has suppressed the fire caused by a Thursday evening lightning strike named the OSHA Fire within the Sandia Mountain Wilderness on the Sandia Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands.

On Friday, Cibola NF&NGs fire management determined that rough terrain would impede USFS firefighting ground crews from reaching the fire. Aerial resources with the Price Valley Heli-Rappel Crew from Payette National Forest were helicoptered to the site and rappelled in. Once on scene the Price Valley Rappel firefighters stopped the spread to contain the tenth-acre fire, and the crew spent the night on the mountain to ensure its suppression.

Reported start date / time: June 27, 2024 / 1900
Cause: Lightning.       
Size:   .10 acre
Containment: 100%
Location: Sandia Mountain Wilderness south of Placitas in the north area of the Sandia Ranger District on the Cibola National Forest within Sandoval County, New Mexico.
Resources: Price Valley Type 2 helicopter with Price Valley Heli-Rappel Crew from Payette National Forest.
Fuels: Mixed Conifer.

This will be the final update on the OSHA Fire unless conditions or the situation warrants additional information.