August 12th UPDATE on Vereda Blanca Fire

Mt. Taylor Ranger District

Vereda Blanca Fire Operations: The fire traveled off the top of the mesa and is creeping into steep terrain. Personnel safety in challenging terrain continues to be a priority. Crews contained spotting along the East side of the fire and continued working along FS 194. Retardant was deployed on the fire and aerial resources will continue to assist operations. Moisture should increase overnight to aid crews in containment efforts.

Vereda Blanca Fire Reported start date / time: August 8, 2025 / 0731

Cause: Lightning.

Location: Northeast Mt Taylor Ranger District near Black Mesa and northeast of Grants, NM. See attached map.

Size: 1,209 acres.                Strategy: Full suppression.      Containment: 4%                    

Fire Behavior: Moderate.   Fuels: Pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pine.

Resources: Firefighters from the USFS, BLM and contractors are on scene with aerial resources. 124 personnel.

Values at risk: The Vereda Blanca Fire is not a threat to any communities, and there are no evacuations in effect. Multiple sensitive cultural resources and potential wildlife habitat may be at risk.
Cultural sites may be at risk.

Smoke: : Smoke may be visible west of the surrounding areas of the Grants, Milan, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Cuba and Jemez. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov allows you to zoom into areas to see the latest smoke conditions.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public should avoid the Vereda Blanca Fire area.

Drones pose a serious risk to firefighting and can cause air operations to cease.
The public is reminded that “If you fly, we can’t!”

Weather forecast for Grants, NM: Tuesday (8/12/25) A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Light south wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Wednesday (8/13/25) A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. https://www.weather.gov/ All fire information and updates will be posted on the inciweb.wildfire.gov, Cibola NF & NGs website, New Mexico Fire Information website, and the Cibola NF & NGs Facebook & X pages.

All fire information and updates will be posted on the  inciweb.wildfire.gov, Cibola NF & NGs website, New Mexico Fire Information website, and the Cibola NF & NGs Facebook  & X pages.