Laguna Wildfire Daily Update July 3 2025

July 3, 2025 by SFNFPAO 0 Comments

Acres: 1300

Start Date: 6/25/2025

Completion: 10 %

Location: Located in the Coyote Ranger District, 8 miles north of New Mexico State Road 96 and west of the Chama River Canyon Wilderness.

Personnel: 120

Fuels: Oak brush, ponderosa pine, pinyon-juniper

Resources: 2 hotshot crews, 1 Type 2 Initial Attack crew, 1 helicopter, 6 engines, 2 water tenders

Highlights: Rain was heavier on the east side of the wildfire, and fire crews were not able to conduct firing operations Instead fire crews focused on improving holding features and access points. A helicopter monitored the wildfire from above, revealing that the fire was creeping and smoldering at a low intensity. On Wednesday, some areas exhibited heavy dead and downed wood, along with tussock moth-killed mixed conifers, which produced visible smoke.

Weather: Critical fire weather conditions are not forecast for at least the next seven days. Good chances for wetting showers and storms will continue through Thursday and then get mostly shutdown on Friday and Saturday as drier air moves in from the west and high pressure strengthens over the region. Hotter conditions will prevail from late weekend through the middle of next week under the influence of the high pressure. Chances for wetting storms will be back on the uptrend during the late weekend through mid-week period as moisture gets drawn into the state.

Smoke: Light winds today will push any smoke produced east and southeast of the fire this afternoon. Overnight smoke is expected to settle in the Rio Chama River valley, with the potential for some smoke settling along the NM State Road 96 corridor between La Jara and Coyote overnight, but no significant impacts are expected.

On the 4th of July and Saturday, smoke may impact Los Alamos and Santa Fe but conditions are expected to remain at MODERATE levels overall. Heavy smoke is expected to settle in the Rio Chama valley overnight, along with potential impacts along the NM State Road 96 corridor but should lift in the morning. Individuals sensitive to smoke should take precautions such as closing their windows overnight.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the highest priority. Please avoid the area while crews manage the Laguna Wildfire. Drones and firefighting aircraft are a dangerous mix and could lead to accidents or slow down wildfire operations. If you fly, we can’t.

Closures: : Closure Order 03-10-01-25-08 is in place and includes all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within Township 24N Range 1E Sections 1,2,11,12,13,14,23,24,25,26 and Township 24N Range 2E Sections 4-9 and Sections14-32 and Township 25N Range 1E Sections 25,35,36 and Township 25N Range 2E Sections 30-32 of the New Mexico Principal Meridian within the Coyote Ranger District. The purpose of this Order is to protect the public’s health and safety during firefighting operations for the Laguna Wildfire. See attached map for the closure area.