UPDATE: Lincoln National Forest West Mountain Fire

Incident Start Date: August 3                              Cause:  Lightning Size: 212 acres                                                        Incident Type: Wildfire   Vegetation Type:  Pinyon/Juniper                       Fire Strategy: Confine/Contain Fire Update: Crews from the Smokey Bear Ranger District continue working at the West Mountain Fire, a lightning-caused wildfire that began on August 3. The fire is currently being managed for forest […]

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NM State Fires – August 10

Good afternoon,   The New Mexico Forestry Division would like to update you on several wildfires that are requiring the attention of state, local and federal resources in New Mexico.  Hart Canyon Fire  Sunset Fire  West Fire  Fire Weather Summary   Today`s round of afternoon and early evening showers and thunderstorms will be isolated and favor the […]

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Gila National Forest Wildfire Roundup – Aug. 9

SILVER CITY, NM, Aug. 8, 2023 – Precipitation has moderated activity on many wildfires across the Gila National Forest, while lightning has sparked others that are being reported and checked. At least 10 new fires were reported to the Silver City Interagency Dispatch Center Tuesday. The following is a summary of fire activity: Wilderness Ranger District: The […]

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Crosscut Fire in El Malpais National Monument Reduces Hazardous Fuels

El Malpais & El Morro National MonumentsNews ReleaseFor Immediate ReleaseAugust 8, 2023Contact: Lisa Dittman, lisa_dittman@nps.gov Crosscut Fire in El Malpais National Monument Reduces Hazardous Fuels Current Situation: The Crosscut Fire started on July 27 within El Malpais National Monument. The lightning-caused fire is burning in a remote western area of the monument and is not […]

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Happy 79th Birthday Smokey Bear!

Did you know – Smokey Bear was authorized by the US Forest Service on August 9, 1944, Explore Smokey’s History! as part of the effort to protect forests during WWII. About the Campaign In May 1950, a live bear cub was found right here in NM, on the Lincoln National Forest’s Capitan Cap Fire and […]

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Lake Fire Update – Aug. 8, 7pm

Location:  Middle Mesa, northwest of Navajo Lake in San Juan County, N.M. The fire crosses lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Reclamation.  Reported start date: Aug. 2, 2023  Size: 73 acres   Containment: 90 percent contained.   Cause:  Lightning strike.   Vegetation: Juniper, grass and brush.  Fire Behavior: The Lake Fire is exhibiting low fire behavior associated […]

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American Mesa Fire Update for Aug. 8

A Type 3 Incident Management Team, Nevada Team 2, took command of the fire at 6:00 a.m. on August 8. Fire crews have made excellent progress in holding the fire at 756 acres, with 25% containment. “We received an outstanding hand off from Carson National Forest Operations,” said Incident Commander Brian Kitchen, “We want to […]

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Firefighters responding to new fire start on Carson National Forest

Firefighters are responding to a new wildfire on the Tres Piedras District to the west zone of the Carson National Forest. The Broke Off Fire is estimated at five acres and the cause is yet to be determined. The fire is located around Broke Off Mountain and Cisneros Springs. Vegetation in the fire area is grass, […]

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Firefighters use Forest Road 103 as possible containment line on the Black Feather Fire

SANTA FE, NM, Aug. 8, 2023 – Firefighters are preparing Forest Road 103 as a possible containment line by clearing brush and removing limbs. Fire managers will survey the wilderness area for natural containment features to link to roads and fire lines. Firefighters are also implementing structure protection to protect private property and other infrastructure. As firefighters […]

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Lightning Strike Fire Start on Sandia Ranger District

Sandia Heights Fire – August 8 Reported Start Date: Aug 8, 2023       Approx. Start Time: 3:15 pm Fire Start Location:  ¼ mile north of Sandia Peak Tram within the Sandia Foothills on the west side of Sandia Ranger District of the Cibola NF & NGs. Cause:  Single tree lightning strike. Resources on Scene: Bernalillo County […]

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Lake Fire Update – Aug. 8

Location:  Middle Mesa, northwest of Navajo Lake in San Juan County, N.M. The fire crosses lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Reclamation.  Reported start date: Aug. 2, 2023  Size: 73 acres   Containment: 75 percent contained.   Cause:  Lightning strike.   Vegetation: Juniper, grass and brush.  Fire Behavior: The Lake Fire is exhibiting low to moderate fire […]

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NM State Fires – August 8, 2023

The New Mexico Forestry Division, along with other local, state and federal resources are responding to several wildfires in New Mexico. Here are updates on two of the fires burning in the State of New Mexico’s jurisdiction (non-federal, non-Tribal, and non-municipal lands). Sunset Fire Date / Time/ Situation: A GPS acreage assessment has brought the […]

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NEW: West Fork Fire, San Juan County, NM – Aug. 8

Location:  Eight miles north of Navajo Dam, near mile-marker 20.  Reported start date: Aug. 7, 2023, at 5 p.m.  Size: Estimated 45 acres   Containment: Zero percent containment   Cause:  Lightning strike.   Vegetation: Juniper, grass and brush.  Fire Behavior: The West Fork Fire is exhibiting moderate fire behavior associated with winds produced by passing thunderstorms.  Resources: Bureau of Land Management and San Juan […]

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American Mesa Fire Aug. 7 Evening Update

Despite critical fire weather conditions, crews on the ground and in the air kept growth of the American Mesa Fire at a minimum. The fire is currently 756 acres with 25% containment.  “This fire really wanted to move,” said Jicarilla Ranger District Duty Officer Brent Woffindin. “But our crews worked hard to keep it at […]

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NM State Fires

The New Mexico Forestry Division, along with other local, state and federal resources are responding to several wildfires in New Mexico. Fire activity in New Mexico and other states is leading to increased smoke conditions. Individuals sensitive to wildfire smoke should take precautions and use the New Mexico Department of Health 5-3-1 Visibility Method to determine […]

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Lake Fire Update – Aug. 7

  Location:  Middle Mesa, northwest of Navajo Lake in San Juan County, N.M. The fire crosses lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Reclamation.  Reported start date: Aug. 2, 2023  Size: 73 acres   Containment: 20 percent contained. The crews expect to reach 50 percent containment by this evening.   Cause:  Lightning strike   Vegetation: Juniper, grass and […]

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Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management Team assumes command of the Black Feather Fire

SANTA FE, NM, Aug. 7, 2023 – The Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management Team took command of the Black Feather Fire at 6:00 am Monday, August 7, 2023. The team will be working closely with New Mexico State Police, Rio Arriba Sherriff’s Office, New Mexico Livestock Board and US Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers to […]

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American Mesa Fire Morning Update

Crews are continuing to work the 450-acre American Mesa Fire today by securing the fire’s edge and patrolling for hotspots outside containment lines. Containment remains at 8%. Air resources are expected to be available to assist later today. We are planning to transition management of fire to a Type 3 Incident Management Team this evening. […]

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New wildfire on BLM-managed lands in San Juan County

Crews from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and San Juan County are on-scene at the Lake Fire on Middle Mesa, northwest of Navajo Lake in San Juan County, N.M.. Agency crews responded to the fire on Aug. 5.   The lightning-strike fire originated on BLM-managed lands and is approximately 100 […]

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New lightning-caused wildfire on Santa Fe National Forest

SANTA FE, NM, Aug. 6, 2023 – Firefighters are responding to a wildfire about 44 miles northwest of Santa Fe in the San Pedro Parks Wilderness of the Coyote Ranger District. It’s called the Black Feather Fire and is estimated at 1,500 acres. The lightning-caused fire started Saturday, Aug. 5, and is being managed with a full […]

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