Middle Mesa Fire Update – Aug. 13

Fire remains quiet, additional work remains

Acres: 5,031
Start Date: August 1, 2025 
Location: 22 mi. west of Dulce, NM 
Cause: Lightning 
Personnel: 404
Fuels: Timber and brush 
Containment: 82% 
Resources:  7 crews | 25 engines | 1 helicopters | 3 bulldozers | 10 water tenders

Highlights: No significant heat sources were detected near the firelines from aircraft that flew over the fire. Pockets of unburned vegetation continue to smoke, posing little threat to containment. The fire is now 82% contained.

Operations: Firefighters continue to maintain a presence across the fire area and are working diligently to extinguish any remaining heat near the firelines. They continue their patrols along the roads looking for anything that could cause problems. On Tuesday, aircraft flew the fire and reported no concerning heat sources. However, they located pockets of burning vegetation well interior to the fire’s perimeter and not threatening containment lines. At this time, firefighters have shifted their focus from suppression to repairing containment lines that are no longer needed. Repair work includes installing erosion control features on dozer lines, handlines and road grading. Resources are working in close coordination with the Carson National Forest to return the area to a state where it can revegetate naturally. Today, repair work continues on the dozer lines. Road grading on Forest Road 218 will also continue. Firefighters will keep patrolling firelines and extinguishing any sources of heat found. Resources that are no longer needed are beginning to head home for well-earned time off or being reassigned to other fires.

Weather: Much like yesterday, cloud cover will increase in the afternoon with a 25% chance of thunderstorms. Temperatures will again be in the 90s with relative humidities in teens. Westerly winds will gust to 25 mph in the afternoon.

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: None

Safety: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect across the fire area. Fires are a no drone zone. If you fly – we can’t. Flying a drone into a fire area is dangerous and poses a serious threat to aerial and ground operations and the public.