Middle Mesa Fire Update – Aug. 7

Crews continue to use indirect and direct tactics across the fire’s perimeter as part of a full suppression strategy

Acres: 4,172 
Start Date: August 1, 2025 
Location: 22 mi. west of Dulce, NM 
Cause: Lightning 
Personnel: 364
Fuels: Timber and brush 
Containment: 0% 
Resources:   7 crews | 22 engines | 2 helicopters | 2 bulldozers | 6 Water Tenders

Highlights: Additional resources are arriving to the incident including hand crews, engines and heavy equipment to support the full suppression strategy.  

Operations: The north side of the fire continues to hold along Forest Road 218A. Resources continue to patrol and secure fireline across the north flank, along Forest Road 218 and Forest Road 218A. A snagging operation is underway as crews remove dead and downed trees that pose a safety risk to firefighters and the public. Along the east and southeast sides, firefighters are improving line from recent firing operations within Carracas Canyon. Yesterday, a Type 1 helicopter supported on the southeast flank providing bucket drops on hot spots. Today resources will scout for a contingency, or secondary line, to provide additional support to the main containment line. Fire activity increased on the south side Wednesday and Large Air Tankers were ordered to box in the fire and support ground operations. Fire operations is also working closely with local Resource Advisors (READs) to determine where a dozer can be used with minimal impacts to the lands and support with containment line to further strengthen existing line on the southern edge. Today resources will continue working west along Forest Road 218 toward Alamo Canyon to reinforce retardant line and keep the fire from spreading further into the canyons. On the west side, near the heel of the fire, resources maintain patrols and mop up operations. A night shift of engines and hand crews will continue where day resources left off and plan to conduct firing operations when it’s safe to do so as part of full suppression efforts.

Weather: Hot and very dry conditions will continue for the remainder of the week with a high temperature of 6 degrees above average each day and critically low minimum humidities.  

Smoke: For smoke information:  https://www.env.nm.gov/air-quality/fire-smoke-links/

Closures: There are no forest closures in effect. However, out of public and firefighter safety the public is urged not to go into the fire area. 

Evacuations: For evacuation information: https://www.rio-arriba.org/departments_and_divisions/sheriff.html

Safety: Drivers should use caution when traveling near the fire area. Drivers are asked to be mindful of firefighting equipment and resources around the fire area. As activity increases throughout the afternoon, smoke may impact nearby roads. Drivers should use caution when traveling around the fire aera.