Middle Mesa Fire Update – Aug. 17, 2025

Fire Information

(505) 465-9515

2025.MiddleMesa@firenet.gov

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/nmcaf-middle-mesa-fire

Bloomfield, N.M., Aug. 17, 2025 — With containment at 92%, fire operations are shifting focus to post-wildfire resilience on the landscape. Enter the Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) team. Specialists assess whether imminent threats exist to public safety, property or critical natural and cultural resources on National Forest System lands following a wildfire. When emergency conditions are identified, response actions are prescribed and implemented to stabilize burned areas, reduce unacceptable risks and prevent further damage.

These actions may include stabilizing soils, controlling water and debris movement and repairing or constructing improvements to protect critical values. While some fires cause little lasting harm, others can lead to erosion, flooding, sedimentation and risks to water supplies, infrastructure, and threatened and endangered species and their habitat. Monitoring ensures that emergency treatments are effective in reducing these threats. The Middle Mesa burn area is actively receiving BAER assessment, led by Nessa Rasmussen. “Our dedicated team is working hard to identify unacceptable risk to critical values and, if warranted, develop treatment recommendations to mitigate that risk.” Rasmussen said.

As containment continues to increase, resources attending the fire decrease and stable weather conditions are expected to assist fire operations. This outlook supports continued progress toward full containment along with suppression repair and monitoring activities.