Desert Willow Complex Fire – Final Update 6/27/25

June 27, 2025 by GDucker 0 Comments

Highlights: This will be the final update on this fire unless there are significant changes. Yesterday, crews made good efforts to reduce interior heat on the Desert Willow Complex, raising containment to 80% on Cotton 1 and 60% on Cotton 2. Incident management has downgraded from a Type-3 to a Type-4 organization under NM Forestry Division.

Update: At 7 a.m. today, the Desert Willow Complex fire transitioned to a type-4 team. This downgrading is due to decreased fire activity within the incident area and the hard work and efforts of firefighters on the ground. Today, crews will continue mop-up efforts and work to create depth on the fire’s interior by moving further into the burned areas checking for any heat or smokes.

Suppression rehabilitation efforts on areas impacted by firefighters will continue through the weekend. This includes areas disrupted by dozer activity, by firefighter hand line, and by other heavy equipment use. These efforts will work to fell hazard trees, apply seed to damaged areas, slash removal and erosion reduction. Larger non-dangerous trees with cavities will be left standing to promote wildlife nesting in the area.

Again, the team would like to thank the hard work of firefighters and first responders on this incident, as well as the help of local, county and municipal resources. The Incident Team would also like to thank the community of Los Lunas for their patience and support during the fire suppression efforts over this past week.

Returning to Homes: Phos-Chek MVP-fx was used as a fire retardant during initial attack and is non-toxic. Residents should consider using personalized protective equipment such as long sleeves, eye protection, and gloves for cleaning purposes. Use water to clean exterior surfaces and a wet-vac for any retardant exposure within the interior of the home. A safety data sheet about Phos-Chek is available here.

Community Information: Daniel Fernandez Center will close their resource center at the end of the day. The Village of Los Lunas is accepted monetary donations through a partnership with United Way: https://give.uwncnm.org/campaign/699958/donate. Community information on the fire and services is available on the Village of Los Lunas website: https://www.loslunasnm.gov/1347/Desert-Willow-Complex-Fire-Information

Weather: Currently 83 degrees, 23% RH. Sunny, with a high near 92. Calm winds becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Acres: Cotton 1: 95. Cotton 2 – 142. Total: 237 per further mapping and ground truthing.

Containment: Cotton 1 – 80%. Cotton 2 – 60%.

Start Date/ Time: 3:23 p.m., 6/21/25

Fuels: Bosque, cottonwood, riparian invasives.

Cause: Human.

Location: Bosque area in Los Lunas south and north of Main St. Bridge, east and west sides of the Rio Grande.

Ownership: Private.

Structure Impact: 11 structures have been reported lost, 4 have major or minor damage, per Valencia County.

Resources: NM Forestry Division N6S, Mimbres crew, Wheeler Peak crew. Valencia County, Cochiti Pueblo, North Dakota engine crew, National Park Service, Forest Service. Law enforcement includes Valencia County Sheriffs. Total personnel: 75

Desert Willow Complex information contacts:

Shannon Lobb,

Public Information Officer

757-969-3405

shannon_lobb@firenet.gov

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George Ducker

NM Forestry Division

Public Information Officer

505-699-0601

george.ducker@emnrd.nm.gov

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