Tusas Fire – Update – 4/24

Daily Update – Friday, April 24, 2026

Acres: 251                                                                                      

Start Date: April 22, 2026

Location: Las Tusas, NM                                                                                     

Fuels: Timber

Containment: 0%                                                                   

Highlights: Yesterday, fire crews used a bulldozer to construct new fireline and continued strengthening existing lines to reduce the potential for spot fires within the Tusas Fire perimeter.

The Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management team, led by Incident Commander Steven Griego, took command of the fire on Friday, April 24, from the New Mexico Forestry Division ad-hoc incident management team. Road closures in the area are still in effect; however, residents of NM 266 are allowed to return. Previous evacuation zones have all been downgraded to Ready status including NM 266 from CR A3 to HWY 94; HWY 94 to CR A4A.

Operations: Today, crews will continue strengthening containment lines through direct tactics, while suppressing interior hot spots. A Type-1 helicopter is on standby to provide water drops to support hand crews on the ground. A structure protection group is available to provide initial attack on any new fire starts that may arise within the area.

Safety: The primary objective for the Tusas Fire is firefighter and public safety. A Total Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place in the area to keep the area clear for responding aircraft. No drones or aircraft will be allowed to fly in the area. Flying will force air resources to be grounded immediately. If you fly, they can’t.

Weather: Today will be mostly sunny, with a high near 67 degrees. Southwest winds 5-10 mph will increase to 15-20 mph in the afternoon. Tonight, partly cloudy, with a low around 39. West winds 10-20 mph.

Smoke: Residual smoke remains in communities near the fire. View an interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/. Learn more about smoke impacts at nmtracking.doh.nm.gov/environment/air/fireandsmoke.html. Please use caution when driving in the area.

Evacuations / Closures: NM 266 remains closed however; residents will be allowed to enter the area. Residents should take caution as personnel will be working and heavy equipment will be using the road. All previous evacuation statuses have been downgraded to Ready status. Those areas include NM 266 from CR A3 to HWY 94; HWY 94 to CR A4A.

505-273-7205 / facebook.com/NMForestryDivision/ 2026.tusas@firenet.gov /nmfireinfo.com