March 20, 2025 
Wildfire Updates – Gail, Pond, Milagro
March 20, 2025
NB: This will be the final notification for Pond Fire and Milagro Fire unless there are significant changes.
Gail Fire
Update: Resources progressed on the Gail Fire yesterday, constructing and enhancing line and working on interior hot spots. Containment was raised to 10% and communities were placed back to “Set” status from “Go.” Today, crews will work on securing interior hot spots in anticipation of raising containment by the end of today’s operational shift.
The Gail fire is 238 acres and is 10 percent contained. The fire was discovered at 3:21 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, and is located 2 miles west of Mayhill, NM. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Weather: Currently 22 degrees, 28% RH, calm winds. Today, highs near 59 degrees. S/SW wind 5-10 mph increasing to 11-16 mph in the afternoon. Gusts could hit as high as 21 mph. Tonight, low around 35 degrees. Winds 13-16 mph becoming west after midnight. Gusts as high as 23 mph.
Evacuations / Closures: Evacuations have been lifted. Communities downgraded from “Go” status to “Set.”
Acres: 238
Start Date/ Time: 3:21 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Cause: Under investigation
Location: 2 miles west of Mayhill, NM
Ownership: Private and Forest Service
Structure Threat: Threat has passed.
Resources: Forestry Division, Smokey Bear, Silver City and Sacramento Hotshots, Lincoln National Forest, volunteer fire departments. Dozers, water tenders. Total personnel: 92.
Containment: 10%
Fuels: Grass, pinon/ juniper, ponderosa pine
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Pond Fire
Update: Lines held throughout the day yesterday, allowing crews to secure the fire’s edge and build containment. Little to no heat was found on the interior. Today crews will continue securing line and mopping up. This will be the final notification on this fire unless there are significant changes.
The Pond Fire is 97 acres and is 50% percent contained. The fire was discovered at 3:40 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18 and is located in Northern Socorro County, east of Bernardo. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Weather: Currently 26 degrees, 23% RH, calm winds. Today, highs near 64. Winds from the north at 5-10 mph becoming south 15-20 mph in the afternoon. Tonight, lows around 29. South wind 15-20 mph becoming west 5-10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Evacuations / Closures: Threats have passed
Acres: 97
Start Date/ Time: 3:40 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Cause: Under investigation
Location: Northern Socorro County, east of Bernardo
Ownership: State
Structure Threat: Threat has passed
Resources: Forestry Division, Socorro County, VFD, BLM, dozer. Total personnel: 41.
Containment: 50%
Fuels: Grass/ brush
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Milagro Fire
Update: Crews made good progress on the Milagro Fire yesterday, raising containment to 95% by end of shift. The fire’s acreage has been mapped at 312 acres through GPS. This will be the last notification on this fire unless there are significant changes.
The Milagro fire was discovered at 2:40 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, and is located off I-40, east of Palma. The cause of the fire is a vehicle accident on Interstate 40.
Evacuations / Closures: None
Acres: 312 acres
Start Date/ Time: 2:40 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Cause: Vehicle
Location: North of I-40, MM 237-240
Ownership: State/Private
Structure Threat: None
Resources: Forestry Division, multiple county fire departments, State Police and local law enforcement. Total personnel 18.
Containment: 95%
Fuels: Grass
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George Ducker
Communications Coordinator
New Mexico State Forestry Division – EMNRD
NM Fire Info 
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