Laguna Wildfire Daily Update — July 27, 2025

 Southwest Area 

Incident Management Team 

TEAM 1 – CARL SCHWOPE – INCIDENT COMMANDER  

Southwest Team 1 will continue managing the fire through the hot, dry weather. 

Acres: 17,388

Start Date: 06/25/2025 

Location: Gallina, NM

Cause: Lightning  

Personnel: 195               

Fuels: Oak brush, Piñon-juniper, mixed conifer 

Containment: 75%  

Resources: 3 crew | 5 engines | 2 helicopters | 2 unmanned aircraft system | 2 water tenders | 3 ambulance 

Highlights: Rising temperatures, winds, and lower humidity exposed more fuels on the northeast portion of the fire yesterday, which increased smoke as the fire burned through additional material in the interior of the fire. Today’s hot, dry conditions may sustain fire activity and produce more smoke. 

Fire Activity: Yesterday, firefighters worked on patrolling, monitoring and enhancing containment on the northern and eastern portions of the fire line. With the increase of temperatures and winds and the decrease in humidity, additional fuels became available on the northeastern section of the fire, which led to an increase in smoke as additional fuels burnt off in the interior of the fire.  

Aerial operations continued to assist the Laguna Fire, with Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) supporting firefighters by patrolling the fire line, and helicopters assisting with water drops in the La Presa Canyon area. Additionally, firefighters continued to work on repairing an additional four miles of Forest Service Road 8. 

Today, similar hot and dry weather could lead to continued increased fire behavior. As interior pockets of available fuel burn, additional smoke is expected again today. Firefighters are continuing their work patrolling, monitoring and enhancing the fire line on the northern and the eastern sides of the fire. They are utilizing a combination of hand and dozer made dirt lines as well as the natural barriers of the rocky cliffs and slopes. 

Weather and Smoke: The warming and drying trend is anticipated to continue today, with high pressure reigning overhead across the desert southwest. Minimum humidity will move into the low double and single digits again, and light winds will help to keep critical fire weather conditions at bay, though there is a slight chance of increased winds in the late afternoon and into the evening today. Smoke will continue to be present in the area. For the most up-to-date smoke information, visit fire.airnow.gov/.  

Closures and Flight Restrictions: A closure order is in place for USFS lands in the area. To view the complete order, visit fs.usda.gov/r03/santafe/alerts/laguna-wildfire-closure-order. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is also in place for the area. For current TFR maps, visit tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=list 

Evacuations: Gallina Ranch and the Monastery of Christ in the Desert have been reduced to READY status. For complete information on evacuations in New Mexico, visit emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/fire-prevention-programs/ready-set-go-new-mexico/ 

Laguna Fire Incident Phone Number: 575-323-8964 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) 

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmsnf-laguna-wildfire  

Email:  2025.laguna@firenet.gov