Are you prepared for a power outage during wildfire season? Whether an unexpected outage occurs from a wildfire or is a temporary action by your utility company to prevent wildfires, you may be impacted. Consider that an outage can impact lighting, heating, cooling, communication, food and medicine refrigeration, cooking and medical equipment. The American Red […]
Continue readingOn the Road: Spark Safety Not Wildfire
Did you know? Wildfires started by vehicles is one of the highest causes in New Mexico. You can Spark Safety Not Wildfire by:
Continue readingPrepared Worker: Spark Safety Not Wildfire
Getting outside for spring projects? Managing a crew? If using equipment, remember these safety tips:
Continue readingPrepared Camper: Spark Safety Not Wildfire
Concerned with winds picking up on your trip? Skip the campfire, use a propane fire ring instead! Just like with a campfire, place in cleared area, keep it maintained, and never leave it running unattended! The best part is you can just turn it off. Campfire Safety The prepared camper’s checklist:
Continue readingCampfire Safety: Spark Safety Not Wildfire
Campfires and outdoor recreation are the 2nd largest category of wildfires caused by people in the southwest. Buried embers can smolder for days. Always drown, stir, feel for heat, and repeat until cold. #sparksafetynotwildfire
Continue readingBurn Barrel Safety: Spark Safety Not Wildfires
Thinking about using a burn barrel? Clear 10 feet to mineral soil around the barrel. Make sure it’s properly ventilated and has a 1/8” screen cover to prevent ember escape. Check for holes that would allow embers to escape and screen those areas also or replace the barrel. Always keep water and tools nearby! Spark […]
Continue readingBurn Debris Safely: Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week
Did you know? Debris and open burning are the top cause of human-caused fires in the Southwest. Backyard debris burning video from Smokey Bear and the Ad Council. Stay safe and protect your property while burning debris by following these six tips:
Continue readingJoin Us! SW Wildfire Awareness Week, March 24-29, 2025
Today kicks off the Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week. This year’s theme is “Spark Safety Not Wildfires,” focused on the three top causes of wildfires in New Mexico: 1)Debris and Open Burning, 2)Campfires, and 3)Equipment/vehicles. Recognizing that conditions in the West remain warm and dry, residents have an opportunity to take proactive steps. From the desert […]
Continue readingStage 2 Fire Restrictions to be Implemented at El Morro National Monument
El Malpais & El Morro National MonumentsFor Release: January 21, 2025Phone: (505) 285-4641 Stage 2 Fire Restrictions to be Implemented at El Morro National Monument As a result of the unusually dry conditions and high fire danger El Morro National Monument will implement Stage II Fire. Restrictions include no campfires or smoking in the park. […]
Continue readingPreventative Fire Measures Lifted at Carlsbad Caverns
Carlsbad Caverns National Park News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 9, 2024 Contact: Laura Steele, Chief Ranger, laura_steele@nps.gov Preventative Fire Measures Lifted at Carlsbad Caverns CARLSBAD, New Mexico—Effective immediately, all preventive fire measures at Carlsbad Caverns National Park have been lifted due to recent monsoon rain. This includes reinstating fire, charcoal, and propane grill use and smoking outside. These restrictions were put in place on May 23, 2024, due to […]
Continue readingEncerrita Fire command transferred back to local unit due to decreased fire activity
El Malpais National Monument News Release For Immediate Release: June 25, 2024 Contact: El Malpais National Monument Visitor Center, 505-876-2783 Encerrita Fire command transferred back to local unit due to decreased fire activity GRANTS, NM — The Encerrita Fire again had very little activity on Monday as the area again received additional rainfall. The fire […]
Continue readingJune 24 Encerrita Fire Update, 10:00 a.m.
The Encerrita fire is 2,496 acres, and 0% contained. The fire area received more precipitation this weekend which kept fire activity at a minimum. On Sunday, the helicopter assigned to the incident flew the fire’s perimeter and observed minimal smoke and fire behavior. Firefighters continued line construction on the north and west sides of the […]
Continue readingFirefighters on the Encerrita Fire aided by wet weather
The 2,496 acres, 0% contained, Encerrita Fire has received a notable amount of precipitation over the past several days, with more precipitation in the forecast over the coming week. The previously issued “Ready” evacuation notice for residents north of the fire was rescinded on Saturday, June 22nd. The welcomed precipitation has significantly decreased fire […]
Continue readingEncerrita Fire area receives significant precipitation
El Malpais National Monument received significant precipitation yesterday with approximately 0.5” of rain falling in the area of the Encerrita Fire. Flooding was reported in the nearby town of Grants. The Encerrita Fire remains south and east of Highway 53. On Friday, before the rain event, firefighters were able to take advantage of favorable weather […]
Continue readingFrontal passage gives firefighters an edge on Encerrita Fire
For Immediate Release: June 21, 2024 Contact: El Malpais National Monument Visitor Center, 505-876-2783 Frontal passage gives firefighters an edge on Encerrita Fire Grants, NM —The Encerrita Fire only gained 3 acres on Thursday due to higher humidity that followed a frontal passage. The 2282-acre lightning-caused fire is located in El Malpais National Monument, 15 […]
Continue readingEncerrita Fire Update – Thursday June 20
As forecasted, winds ahead of the frontal passage Wednesday night led to increased fire activity on the lightning-caused Encerrita Fire, located 15 miles south-southwest of Grants. As the fire grew northward, pushed by a strong south wind, firefighters were able to hold the fire south and east of Highway 53. Crews were assisted by the […]
Continue readingEncerrita Fire Wednesday Evening Fire Update
Grants, NM – The Encerrita Fire was more active today due to gusty winds from the south resulting in the closure of Highway 53 south of Grants. The fire made a wind-driven run to the north that bumped the south side of the highway this afternoon. Fire is burning along the edge of the highway […]
Continue readingAdditional firefighters arrive to Encerrita Fire ahead of weather change
El Malpais National Monument News Release For Immediate Release: June 19, 2024 Contact: El Malpais National Monument Visitor Center, (505) 876-2783 Additional firefighters arrive to Encerrita Fire ahead of weather change Grants, NM —Additional crews arrived to the Encerrita Fire on Tuesday, bringing the total number of firefighters to 99 on the 1541-acre lightning-caused fire […]
Continue readingEncerrita Fire Update, June 18
Additional crews arrived on Monday and Tuesday morning to assist local firefighters working on the Encerrita Fire currently burning on El Malpais National Monument. The lightning-caused fire was discovered on June 15 and is estimated to be approximately 1300 acres as of Tuesday morning. The fire remains on NPS lands and does not pose an […]
Continue readingLightning-caused fire discovered on El Malpais National Monument
El Malpais National Monument News Release For Immediate Release: June 17, 2024 Contact: El Malpais National Monument Visitor Center, 505-876-2783 Grants, NM —National Park Service staff discovered a lightning-caused fire burning on El Malpais National Monument lands on the afternoon of Saturday, June 15. The Encerrita Fire, reported by the Oso Lookout, is located approximately […]
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March 29, 2025 


