This evening 7/27, firefighters working on the Venado Fire are taking advantage of weather conditions to ignite piles in the Joaquin fuels treatment area to rob the wildfire of fuel and reinforce control lines. Flames may be visible from communities along New Mexico Highway 4 and US HWY 550.

Taos, NM (July 27, 2018) – For Immediate Release.  Within the past 4 weeks, Carson National Forest fire personnel responded to 28 lightning-caused wildfire ignitions.  Lightning-caused wildfires are a common occurrence during the monsoon season, typically late-June through July. The Lobo Fire located 2 miles east of San Cristobal in the Columbine Hondo Wilderness has […]

Monsoonal rains slow Venado Fire Venado Fire Update Acres: 2,872 Start Date: July 20, 2018 Cause: Lightning Location: Jemez Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest Containment: 15% Fuels: Ponderosa pine Total personnel: 282 General Information: As yesterday’s monsoonal weather pattern helped firefighters keep the Venado Fire in check with minimal activity, firefighters continue with a full […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sarca Fire UPDATE Start Date: July 7 Cause: Lightning Size: 50 acres Location: Agua Sarca drainage area of the Pecos Wilderness – Santa Fe National Forest Containment: 0% Fuel: ponderosa pine and other mixed conifer Resources: Monitoring via air and ground Weather: 70% chance rain tonight and 60% tomorrow with lighting Situation: […]

Forest officials issue Venado Fire area closure for safety SANTA FE, NM – July 26, 2018 – For Immediate Release. The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) issued a temporary area closure today to protect public health and safety, and so firefighters can operate more safely in the Venado Fire area on the Jemez Ranger District […]

SANTA FE, NM – The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, Forestry Division has lifted smoking, firework, campfire, and open fire restrictions for all state lands effective Thursday, July 26, 2018 at 12:01 p.m. “We continue to encourage New Mexican’s and visitors to our state to be vigilant and use caution with any use of […]

Public invited to Venado Fire community meeting tonight July 26, 2018 Daily Update  Acres: 2,872 Start Date: July 20, 2018 Cause: Lightning Location: Jemez Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest Containment: 10% Fuels: Ponderosa pine Total personnel: 318 The Southwest Area Incident Management Team 4 will host a community meeting for the Venado Fire at […]

Southwest Area Incident Management Team 4 assumes command of the Venado Fire  July 25, 2018 Daily Update Acres:  2,577 Start Date: July 20, 2018 Cause: Lightning Location: Jemez Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest Containment: 0% Fuels: Ponderosa pine Total personnel: 318 General Information: The Santa Fe National Forest brought in Steve Millert’s Type 2 […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aragon Fire UPDATE Start Date: July 12 Cause: Lightning Size: 450 acres Location: Cuba Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest Containment: 50% Fuel: Ponderosa Pine Weather: 75% chance for rain showers over the next few days Resources: 6 personnel Situation: The fire remains in a remote location East of Gallina […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Venado Fire UPDATE Start Date: July 20 Cause: Lightning Size: approximately 2,500 acres Location: Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest Containment: 0% Fuel: Ponderosa Pine Weather: Scattered thunderstorms Monday night dropped less than a tenth of an inch on the Venado Fire with no significant impact on ground conditions. […]

Jemez Springs, NM – On Monday evening the Hidden Valley Fire received approximately .49 inches of rain, further reducing fire behavior. The chance for monsoonal rains and thunderstorms will remain high in the afternoons through the end of the week and minimal fire behavior is predicted for the Hidden Valley Fire.   With decreased complexity, […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Venado Fire UPDATE Start Date: July 20 Cause: Lightning Size: approximately 2,200 acres Location: Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest Containment: 0% Fuel: Ponderosa Pine Weather: Scattered thunderstorms Monday night dropped less than a tenth of an inch on the Venado Fire, with no significant impact on ground conditions. […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Venado Fire UPDATE Start Date: July 20 Cause: Lightning Size: approximately 2,000 acres Location: Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest Containment: 0% Fuel: Ponderosa Pine Weather: Scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight expect to bring lightning, heavy rain and gusty winds. Resources on scene: 162 personnel, which includes four interagency […]

Jemez Springs, NM – Firefighters on Sunday completed firing operations on the lightning-caused Hidden Valley Fire. Through the successful management of this naturally caused fire, the preserve was able to safely decrease fuel loads on 585 acres of forest on South Mountain and reduce the risk of undesired fire behavior in the future. “We’re grateful for all […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Venado Fire UPDATE Start Date: July 20 Cause: Lightning Size: 1,071 acres Location: Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest Containment: 0% Fuel: Ponderosa Pine Weather: Low-level moisture is moving toward the Venado Fire, increasing the chance for precipitation. Possible thunderstorms may bring lightning, heavy rain and gusty winds. Resources […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Venado Fire UPDATE Start Date: July 20 Cause: Lightning Size: 450 acres Location: Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest Containment: 0% Fuel: Ponderosa Pine Weather: Light winds, clear skies Resources on scene: Three hotshot crews, one helicopter with bucket, one dozer, two engines Situation: The fire is in a […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sarca Fire UPDATE Start Date: July 7 Cause: Lightning Size: 40 acres Location: Agua Sarca drainage area of the Pecos Wilderness – Santa Fe National Forest Containment: 0% Fuel: ponderosa pine and other mixed conifer Resources: Monitoring via air and ground Weather: Tonight 50% chance for rain, 80% tomorrow, 100% tomorrow night […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aragon Fire UPDATE Start Date: July 12 Cause: Lightning Size: 400 acres Location: Cuba Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest Containment: 5% Fuel: Ponderosa Pine Weather: Sunny skies currently, 10 to 30% chance for precip tomorrow Resources: 1 engine, 4 utility vehicles, 16 personnel Situation: The fire is in a […]

Jemez Springs, NM – Firing operations to manage the lightning-caused Hidden Valley fire are expected to be completed today. Yesterday, favorable conditions allowed fire fighters to treat an additional 150 acres on the south and southwest portions of South Mountain, for a total of approximately 450 acres. Smoke from management operations will be visible from all […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Venado Fire UPDATE Forest Road Closure in Effect Start Date: July 20 Cause: Lightning Size: 250 acres Location: Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest Containment: 0% Fuel: Ponderosa Pine Weather: Light winds, clear skies Resources on scene: 2 engines, 2 utility vehicles, 20-person Santa Fe Hotshot crew, 20-person Aravaipa […]