March 26, 2026 

Highlights: Yesterday, fire crews were able to extinguish interior smoke and widen and improve control lines across the four divisions of the Unified Fire, raising containment to 25%. More accurate mapping downsized the fire’s acreage to 300 acres.  

Update: Hand crews, engines, dozers and air resources operated successfully yesterday to widen and improve control lines on the Unified Fire, increasing containment to 25%. Winds were low, and minimal smoke was present. Fellers were able to remove hazard trees within burned portions on the south division of the fire. A type-1 helicopter performed successful rounds of bucket drops to deliver water into the tree canopy in areas where interior heat was present. 

Today’s weather will show increased winds beginning around mid-day. Before the wind speeds increase, air support will continue bucket drops of water within the fire footprint. Crews will continue to employ full suppression tactics, including gridding, or searching for, interior smokes and heat while securing the fire’s edge. 

The public is encouraged to avoid the bosque and surrounding area so first responders can continue engaging the fire.  

Command staff from the Unified Fire would like to thank the community for their patience and trust during this response period. 

The Unified Fire was discovered at 10:49 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24 near Madrone, east of Interstate 25 and south of Rio Communities in Valencia County. The cause of the fire is under investigation.  

Weather: Currently 69 degrees F, 15% RH, north winds at 3 mph. Highs near 89 degrees. Southwest wind 5-10 mph becoming west 15-20 mph in the afternoon. Tonight, mostly clear, with a low around 41. Northwest wind 15-20 mph becoming north 5-10 mph in the evening. A High Wind Watch is in effect for Friday, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.  

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Acres: 300.  

Containment: 25% contained.      

Start Date / Time: 10:49 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24. 

Fuels: Grass, brush, timber and timber understory. 

Cause: Under investigation. 

Location: Madrone, east of I-25, south of Rio Communities in Valencia County. 

Ownership: State and private. 

Structure Threat: 35 homes within the fire area.  

Evacuations / Closures: No evacuations are in place. Previous evacuations have been lifted. 

Resources: Forestry Division, Valencia County FD, Rio Communities FD, Belen FD, Northern Socorro FD, Peralta FD, Los Lunas FD, Albuquerque Fire Rescue, Bernalillo County FD, Santa Fe FD, Cochiti FD, Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, Rio Rancho FD, Town of Bernalillo, Cibola County, NM State Police, Valencia County Sheriff, Valencia County Office of Emergency Management, Rio Communities Police, NM Livestock Board, Valencia Animal Control. NM Gas, PNM, Socorro Electric.  Total personnel: 150.                                               

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For fire updates, visit the Forestry Division Facebook page.