A one-acre wildfire in the Ruidoso, NM area is producing a significant amount of smoke, which may linger for several days. The Sierra Fire was first reported just before 1:00 AM this morning at Sierra Contracting, a private business off of U.S. Highway 70 in Ruidoso Downs. Lightning started the fire, which is burning pinon, juniper, brush, […]

SANTA FE, NM – Sept. 10, 2020 – The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) will lift campfire and smoking restrictions effective 8 a.m. tomorrow, Sept. 11, 2020, due to widespread moisture across the forest and decreasing fire danger. The forest implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions on Aug. 26 to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfire […]

Start date: Aug. 17, 2020             Cause: Lightning              Size: 4,010 acres                           Containment: 95% Location: Rio en Medio Trail, Española Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest Current status:  The Medio Fire received substantial precipitation overnight minimizing fire behavior and growth. No flooding has been reported. […]

Start date: Aug. 17, 2020             Cause: Lightning              Size: 4,010 acres                           Containment: 95% Location: Rio en Medio Trail, Española Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest Current status:  Containment lines continue to hold as strong winds from the northwest pushed the Medio Fire into the […]

Start date: Aug. 17, 2020             Cause: Lightning              Size: 3,948 acres              Containment: 90% Location: Rio en Medio Trail, Española Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest Current status:  The Medio Fire continues to burn dead and down timber in the northeast corner, pushing into the fire scar from the 2011 Pacheco Fire. Fire activity added 50 acres […]

Closure Order Prohibits the Public from Entering the Area Start date: Aug. 17, 2020             Cause: Lightning              Size: 3,898 acres              Containment: 90% Location: Rio en Medio Trail, Española Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest Current status:  The Medio Fire made a little push on the northeast corner into the fire scar from the 2011 Pacheco Fire, […]

Start date: Aug. 17, 2020             Cause: Lightning              Size: 3,773 acres              Containment: 90% Location: Rio en Medio Trail, Española Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest Current status:  The southwestern side of the Medio Fire is putting up a fair amount of smoke today as hot, dry conditions contributed to more active fire behavior. Aerial observation confirms […]

Smoke from the Dark Canyon Fire is visible from the Carrizozo and Capitan areas. The smoke is from an interior pocket of fuel burning within the fire perimeter. Fire crews are aware of the fire activity and are monitoring the situation.

Start date: Aug. 17, 2020             Cause: Lightning              Size: 3,773 acres              Containment: 90% Location: Rio en Medio Trail, Española Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest Current status:  This morning the Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4 transferred command of the Medio Fire back to the Santa Fe National Forest, led by Type 4 Incident […]

Medio Fire – September 3, 2020 Final Daily Update Acres: 3,741 acres Start Date: August 17, 2020 Cause: Lightning Containment: 74% Total personnel: 203 Location: Rio en Medio Trail, Española Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest Fuels: Dry mixed conifer, ponderosa pine Highlights: The Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4 will transfer command […]

SANTA FE, NM – Sept. 2, 2020 – A Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team plans to begin assessing post-fire conditions on the Medio Fire as early as Thursday. With a primary focus on human life and safety, the BAER Team will analyze the fire’s impact, determine any values at immediate risk and […]

Medio Fire – September 2, 2020 Daily Update                  Acres: 3,721 acres Start Date: August 17, 2020 Cause: Lightning Containment: 59% Total personnel: 209 Location: Rio en Medio Trail, Española Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest Fuels: Dry mixed conifer, ponderosa pine Highlights: As a result of successful […]

The East Well Fire located on state land near Claunch, NM in Socorro County is now 80% contained and remains estimated at 634 acres. Firefighters will continue to secure fire lines and mop-up hot spots. Fire activity is minimal with little to no smoke showing from the interior. Full containment is projected for Friday, September […]

Medio Fire – September 1, 2020 Daily Update Acres: 3,681 acres Start Date: August 17, 2020 Cause: Lightning Containment: 59% Total personnel: 242 Location: Rio en Medio Trail, Española Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest Fuels: Dry mixed conifer, ponderosa pine Highlights: Crews worked into the night to successfully complete burnout operations on the western […]

The East Well Fire located on state land near Claunch, NM in Socorro County is estimated at 634 acres and 73% contained. No structures are threatened. Firefighters will continue to monitor and mop-up hot spots. Due to successful fire operations, additional resources will be demobilized over the next few days. Fire behavior is minimal with […]

Medio Fire – August 31, 2020 Daily Update                                              Acres: 3,453 acres Start Date: August 17, 2020 Cause: Lightning Containment: 55% Total personnel: 255 Location: Rio en Medio Trail, Española Ranger District, Santa Fe […]

This will be the final update on the Caja Fire unless conditions change. Start date: Aug. 23, 2020                       Cause: Lightning                         Size: 158 acres Location: Colorado Peak on the Caja del Rio Plateau, the Española Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) Containment: 100% Current status:  Now that the Caja Fire is 100% […]

Medio Fire – August 29, 2020 Daily Update                                                        Acres: 3,422 acres Start Date: August 17, 2020 Cause: Lightning Containment: 54% Total personnel: 283 Location: Rio en Medio Trail, […]

The East Well Fire located on state land near Claunch, NM in Socorro County is now 50% contained and remains estimated at 634 acres. No structures are threatened. Firefighters have been successful in holding all containment lines and continue to mop-up hot spots. Approximately 80 personnel are working to fully contain the fire. Smoke may continue to be […]