Acres: 57,670                                                                                                      Start Date: May 18, 2023Location: 40 miles west of Winston, NM                                                                                                   Cause: LightningContainment: 12%                                                                                                    Fuels: Timber, piñon/juniper and grassPersonnel: 140, 1 Type 1 Helicopter, 2 Type 3 Helicopters Fire activity and growth were minimal yesterday, with low to moderate fire behavior observed. The most active area of fire perimeter was along southwest corner […]

Upcoming Actions: There is minimal fire activity today with some creeping and smoldering. Crews are working to mop up the western edge, cooling any hotspots. Suppression repair and rehabilitation continues as crews work to reduce erosion, reseed where needed, fix fences and close dozer lines. With fire activity decreasing, management of the fire will be […]

Due to increased fire danger and prolonged drought, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is implementing fire restrictions in San Juan, Rio Arriba, Taos, Colfax, Union, Los Alamos, Santa Fe, Mora, Harding and San Miguel counties, as well as portions of public land in McKinley and Sandoval counties.    The restrictions are effective immediately and will […]

Information Phone: 575-388-8211 Hours 8:00 to 4:30 Email Maribeth.Pecotte@usda.gov Acres: 57, 523Start Date: May 18, 2023Location: 40 miles west of Winston, NMCause: LightningContainment: 12%Fuels: timber, pinon/juniper, and grassPersonnel: 133, 1 type 1 helicopter, 2 type 3 helicopters Infrared mapping from last night showed approximately 420 acres of fire growth and isolated heat at the southeast […]

Every New Mexican knows the beginning of July may mark the start of monsoon season. With monsoons, comes lightning, and not always with rain. As Fourth of July weekend approaches, remember fireworks may be illegal to use where you are, and always illegal on federally managed lands in New Mexico no matter what day of […]

Reported start date / time: June 28, 2023 / 0600 Cause: Lightning Strike         Size: at 2:00 p.m. estimated to be at .10 acres. Location: Near the Faulty Trail, west of Cienega Recreation Area off Crest Highway, Hwy 536 on the Sandia Ranger District. Resources on scene: Forest Service. Fire behavior: Low intensity. Fuels: Timber and […]

Information Phone: 575-388-8211; 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Email: Maribeth.Pecotte@usda.gov Acres: 57,100 (estimated) Start Date: May 18, 2023 Location: 40 miles west of Winston, NM Cause: Lightning Containment: 12% Fuels: Timber, pinon, juniper, and grass Personnel: 168 The Pass Fire showed minimal growth yesterday. Infrared flights have not been possible for the past two days; […]

Upcoming Actions: Fire crews are working with resource advisers to rehabilitate areas affected by fire management activity. Crews are focused on suppression repair work, including reseeding, fixing fences, installing erosion control features and closing dozer lines. Fire activity has reduced significantly, and crews continue to patrol by gridding for hotspots and cooling them for further […]

Location: ¼ mile NW of Pinos Altos, NM I Size: 328 acres I Containment: 70% Personnel: 141 I Start Date: June 20, 2023 I Cause: Under investigation Fuels: Slash, timber and brush This is the LAST daily update for the RICO FIRE SILVER CITY, NM, June 28, 2023 – This is the last daily update […]

Chavez Fire – June 28 Reported start date / time: June 28, 2023 / 0600 Cause: Lightning Strike         Size: at 8:00 a.m. it was estimated to be at .10 acres Location: West of Cienega Recreation Area off Crest Highway, Hwy 536. Resources on scene: Firefighters from the Cibola National Forest and Bernalillo County are on […]

Stage 1 Restrictions to be enforced effective June 28 ALAMOGORDO, New Mexico, June 28, 2023 – The Lincoln National Forest has implemented Stage 1 Fire Restrictions effective June 28, 2023, as dry weather and heightened fire danger risk continues. “These restrictions will help reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires as we enter a time of […]

The fire danger ratings for 3 districts on the Cibola National Forest & Grasslands have updates. Black Kettle Ranger District: ModerateKiowa and Rita Blanca Ranger District: ModerateMagdalena Ranger District: VERY HIGH (Rating Update)Mount Taylor Ranger District: HIGH (Rating Update)Sandia Ranger District: HIGHMountainair Ranger District: VERY HIGH (Rating Update) The Fire Danger Rating is calculated by […]

Location: ¼ mile NW of Pinos Altos, NM I Size: 328 acres* I Containment: 70% Personnel: 146 I Start Date: June 20, 2023 I Cause: Under investigation Fuels: Slash, timber and brush *Size: adjusted from 421 acre to 328 acres due to more accurate mapping The LAST FIRE UPDATE for the RICO FIRE will be […]

Upcoming Actions: Fire activity on the eastern flank of the fire has reduced significantly. Crews patrol the fire, gridding for hotspots and cooling them to further control the fire. Most of the fire activity remains on the western flank where crews are working through rugged and steep terrain to strengthen control lines. Crew members are working […]

Location: ¼ mile NW of Pinos Altos, NM I Size: 421 acres I Containment: 61% Personnel: 157 I Start Date: June 20, 2023 I Cause: Under investigation Fuels: Slash, timber and brush The LAST FIRE UPDATE for the RICO FIRE will be issued on June 28th SILVER CITY, NM, June 26, 2023 – Having achieved […]

Upcoming Actions: Red flag conditions, with very dry and breezy to windy conditions, are forecasted today. Fire crews continue to hold and patrol the fire line, gridding for potential spot fires. Suppression tactics have reduced fire activity, and crews will continue to improve containment lines, working in steep and rugged terrain. Suppression activities are concentrated on […]

Location: ¼ mile NW of Pinos Altos, NM I Size: 421 acres I Containment: 50% Personnel: 179 I Start Date: June 20, 2023 I Cause: Under investigation Fuels: Slash, timber and brush SILVER CITY, NM, June 25, 2023 – As of last night, firefighters had reached 50% containment. Work to contain the fire continued through […]

Upcoming Actions: Every fire receives a strategic, risk-based response, and as conditions change, so do management actions. With weather over the next few days forecasted to be less than favorable for the Comanche Fire to fulfill its ecological role, fire managers have decided to limit further growth and take suppression actions. On Saturday, air tankers and […]

Chance Fire  Date/Time: The Chance fire, located on private land west of Ruidoso in Lincoln County, is now 5% contained and 9 acres in size. All control lines held through high winds today, and crews will continue to staff the fire tomorrow to ensure all heat and smoke is addressed. This human-caused fire was reported […]