Community meeting tonight; Fire suppression is ongoing, hazards still present Public Information Line:575-323-8258 or 575-323-8378 Media Information Line: 575-323-8053 Phone Line Hours: 8 am – 8 pm Email: 2024.southfork@firenet.gov Acres: South Fork – 17,551; Salt – 7,775 Start Date: June 17, 2024 Location: South Fork – Ruidoso Area, Salt – 7 mile west of Mescalero, […]
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 readingSouth Fork and Salt Fire Update 6/22/24
Area closures remain in effect as hazards are assessed and addressed Public Information Line:575-323-8258 or 575-323-8378 Media Information Line: 575-323-8053 Phone Line Hours: 8 am – 8 pm Email: 2024.southfork@firenet.gov Acres: South Fork – 16,614; Salt – 7,652 Start Date: June 17, 2024 Location: South Fork – Ruidoso Area, Salt – 7 mile west of […]
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 readingSouth Fork and Salt Fire Update 6/21
Utility outages continue as cooler, wetter weather help firefighters on the ground; localized flooding remains a threat Public Information Line:575-323-8258 Media Information Line: 575-323-8053 Phone Line Hours: 8 am – 8 pm Email: 2024.southfork@firenet.gov Acres: South Fork – 16,349; Salt – 7,652 Start Date: June 17, 2024 Location: South Fork – Ruidoso Area; Salt – […]
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 readingSouth Fork and Salt Fire Update 6/20/24
Acres: South Fork – 16,335; Salt – 7,071 Start Date: June 17, 2024 Location: Ruidoso, NM Personnel: 824 Containment: 0% Fuels: mixed conifer, grass, pine/juniper Resources: Crews, heavy equipment, engines, helicopters and air tankers. Highlights: A community meeting is schedule for 5 pm, Thursday, June 20, 2024. All community members are welcome to […]
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 readingEl Equipo Tipo 3 transfiere el Comando al Bosque Local – Este será el Reporte final para el Incendio Antone
SILVER CITY, NM, 19 de junio, 2024 – La superficie actual del Incendio Antone sigue siendo de 12,396 acres y se ha completado en un 91 por ciento. Hay 35 personas asignadas al incidente y esos recursos continuarán patrullando el perímetro del área afectada. El comportamiento observado del fuego ha sido mínimo, caracterizado por el […]
Continue readingType 3 team transfers command back to the local forest – This will be the final news release for the Antone Fire
SILVER CITY, NM, June 19, 2024 – Current acreage of the Antone Fire remains at 12,396 acres and is 91 percent completed. There are 35 personnel assigned to the incident and those resources will continue to patrol the perimeter. Observed fire behavior has been minimal, characterized by creeping and smoldering which is why the closure […]
Continue readingSouth Fork Fire, Salt Fire Update 6/19
Evacuations in place with continued fire growth expected Public Information Line:575-323-8258 Media Information Line: 575-323-8053 Phone Line Hours: 8 am – 8 pm Email: 2024.southfork@firenet.gov Acres: South Fork – 16,335; Salt – 7,071 Start Date: June 17, 2024 Location: Ruidoso, NM Personnel: 254 Containment: 0% Fuels: mixed conifer, grass, pine/juniper […]
Continue readingSouth Fork Fire, Salt Fire Evening Update 6/18/24
South Fork Fire Update: The South Fork fire is estimated at 15,276 acres and is zero percent contained. Fire activity included crowning and long-range spotting, which increased the fire’s footprint from this morning’s acreage total. Today, response crews were able to directly engage areas of the fire’s footprint when conditions allowed. Approximately 1,400 structures in the […]
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 readingSouth Fork Fire, Salt Fire Update 6/18/24
South Fork Fire Update: This morning, the South Fork Fire is 13,921 acres and zero percent contained. An estimated 500 structures have been impacted by this fire. Crews worked together last night to stop the fire’s spread and providing structure protection where they could. Currently fire behavior is creeping, but a concern today is increased […]
Continue readingCrews Fully Contain Terrero Fire
Fire crews overnight fully contained the approximately 11-acre Terrero Fire, which was caused by lightning. Today, they will begin to mop-up interior portions around the edges. Smoke is expected to be visible for a few days. Six engine crews from Carson National Forest and New Mexico Forestry Division will be joined by the Carson Hotshots […]
Continue readingSouth Fork Fire, Salt Fire Update 2
The South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire are burning on Mescalero tribal land, US Forest Service land, and the area surrounding Ruidoso. Both fires are being managed by Mescalero Apache Fire Rescue and Bureau of Indian Affairs. Complex Incident Management Teams are on order. South Fork Fire Update: The South Fork Fire is currently […]
Continue readingLos bomberos cambian tácticas para trabajo de reparación de supresión en el Incendio Antone
SILVER CITY, NM, 17 de junio, 2024 – Los bomberos están enfocados en el trabajo de reparación de supresión lo cual consiste en una serie de acciones adoptadas para mitigar los impactos causados por las actividades en la extensión del incendio. Los bomberos completaron las operaciones de astillado sobre la tala a lo largo de […]
Continue readingCrews Respond to Fire Near Cebolla
Carson National Forest and New Mexico Forestry Division fire crews are on scene of a wildfire northeast of Cebolla, N.M. The Terrero Fire is estimated at 10 acres, with no containment, and is creeping in the forest understory. Six engines and a helicopter with water dropping capabilities are assigned, with a crew on order. There […]
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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June 23, 2024 


