Tusas Fire Update and a New Fire Start Nearby

Crews continue to work the Tusas Fire, which has grown to 6 acres and is a half mile north of the community of Las Tablas, N.M. Meanwhile, another fire was observed about 1.5 miles to the northeast. Called the Hondo Fire, it’s at 7 acres in size.

Crews are working to suppress both fires, surrounding them with control lines and using a water dropping helicopter to cool edges.

Fire behavior has ranged between light on the Hondo Fire to moderate on Tusas Fire. Work will continue throughout the weekend and into next week.

Both fires were caused by lightning. Pictured here is the Hondo Fire, in which the strike tree can be seen aflame on the right side.

A special thanks to the Ojo Caliente Volunteer Fire Department, Vallecitos Fire Department and the Bureau of Land Management for their assistance today.

In other news, crews this evening fully contained the Deer Fire near Pot Creek, N.M., which they responded to earlier this week.