Line Fire, Mimms Fire – Quay County – Update

May 16, 2026 by GDucker 0 Comments

May 16, 2026

The New Mexico Forestry Division would like to update you on wildfire activity on the Line Fire and the Mimms Fire that is requiring the attention of suppression resources in New Mexico.

Line Fire – Quay County – Final

Yesterday, good work from response crews kept the Line Fire within its footprint and allowed firefighters to establish line around the entire right flank. These lines held under hot, dry and windy conditions throughout the day, raising containment to 90%. Over the coming days, resources will continue to secure the remainder of the fire’s edge until the incident is fully contained and out. The fire’s size is now estimated at 30,144 acres. This will be the final notification on this fire unless there are significant changes.

The Line Fire was discovered at 6:14 p.m. Thursday, May 14 near HWY 54 south of Nara Visa in Quay County.

Acres: 30,144 acres estimated.

Containment: 90% contained.

Start Date / Time: 6:14 p.m. on Thursday, May 14

Fuels: Grass.

Cause: Lightning.

Location: HWY 54 south of Nara Visa in Quay County.

Ownership: State and private in New Mexico and Texas.

Structure Threat: None at this time.

Evacuations / Closures: None at this time.

Weather: Today sunny, with highs near 95. Patchy smoke after noon. North wind 5-10 mph becoming south 15-20 mph in the afternoon. Red Flag Warning in effect until 8 p.m. this evening.

Resources: Forestry Division, Quay County, local volunteer fire department resources. Six type-6 engines, one fixed-wing aircraft.

Mimms Fire – Quay County

Yesterday, response crews and air resources on the Mimms fire were able to establish and hold fireline around the western edge, raising containment to 20%. Fire behavior remained active in the interior, producing a slop over that was caught on the north side. Spot fires were seen up to three-quarters of a mile ahead of the fire front.

Today’s objectives include holding and improving line to keep the fire within in its footprint, while working to extinguish heat along the flanks and the head. Crews and heavy equipment will cut grader and dozer line on the east and west flanks, while keeping their focus on the fire’s eastern edge. The Sparks fire burn scar to the southwest will be used a containment feature if necessary. Aviation resources have been requested.

Acres: 4,000 estimated.

Containment: 20% contained.

Start Date / Time: 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 14

Fuels: Grass, pinon/juniper

Cause: Lightning.

Location: North of HWY 156, northwest of Jordan, east of Sparks Fire footprint.

Ownership: Private.

Threats: Structure threat has passed.

Weather: Today sunny, with highs near 95. Patchy smoke after noon. North wind 5-10 mph becoming south 15-20 mph in the afternoon. Red Flag Warning in effect until 8 p.m. this evening.

Resources: NM Forestry Division, Oregon Department of Forestry, local volunteer fire departments, NM Department of Transportation. Total personnel: 68.