New Fire Start on the Sandia Ranger District: 10K Fire Update – June 12

Reported start date / time: June 12, 2023 / 1:40 p.m. Cause: Unknown at this time Size: at 2 p.m. it was estimated to be at 0.25 acres. Location: West of 10K Trail, North of NM Hwy 536 and East of Ellis Trailhead Containment: 0% Fuels: Burning in Timber Fire behavior: The 10K Fire is […]

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Comanche Fire Update 

With no threat to lives, homes or infrastructure from the Comanche Fire, which was caused by lightning, Carson National Forest crews are currently moving forward with a confine and contain strategy. This response allows fire to play its natural role in a fire-dependent ecosystem, which is a desired condition outlined in the Carson National Forest’s […]

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LS Mesa Fire – Update June 11 

Crews are constructing containment lines and mopping up hot spots  SILVER CITY, NM, June 11, 2023 – The LS Mesa Fire is located approximately 9 miles east of Gila, New Mexico on New Mexico state lands and the Gila National Forest. Driven by gusty winds, the LS Mesa Fire grew to an updated 132 acres […]

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New Fire Start on Carson National Forest 

Carson National Forest fire crews are currently on scene of a lightning-caused fire off Forest Road 137 on the El Rito Ranger District. It is located on the north slopes of Comanche Canyon and is approximately eight miles west of El Rito, NM, 11 miles north of Abiquiu, NM, and 10 miles southeast of Canjilon, […]

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Bear Canyon Fire burning within Sandia Wilderness

Albuquerque, NM – June 8, 2023 New Fire Start Location:  Upper Bear Canyon within the Sandia Wilderness on the Cibola National Forest. Start Date: June 7, 2023           Approx. Start Time: 1730        Size: 0.2 acres       Cause:  Possible lightning strike. Vegetation: Ponderosa Pine and mixed conifer. Resources: Globe Hotshots, Payette NF Engine Crew and Sandia Ranger District […]

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Pass Fire Update for June 8

Acres:  46,397 Location:  40 miles west of Winston, NM                                        Containment: 13%                                                                           Personnel: 99 Start Date:   May 18, 2023 Cause:  Lightning Fuels:  Timber, pinon/juniper and grass The Pass Fire grew only 104 acres yesterday. The entire fire area was in patrol and monitor status. Crews are continuing to patrol the northern perimeter looking for […]

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NEW FIRE START: Upper Bear Canyon within Sandia Wilderness

Albuquerque, NM – June 7, 2023 New Fire Start Location:  Upper Bear Canyon within the Sandia Wilderness on the Cibola National Forest. Start Date: June 7, 2023          Approx. Start Time: 1730       Size: .5 acres       Cause:  Possible lightning strike. Vegetation: Ponderosa Pine and mixed conifer. Resources: Forest Service resources responding. Strategy: Full suppression. Smoke may be […]

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Pass Fire Update for June 7

Acres:  46,293                                                                                    Location:  40 miles west of Winston, NM                                        Containment: 13%                                                                            Personnel: 125 Start Date:  May 18, 2023 Cause:  Lightning Fuels:  Timber, pinon/juniper and grass Much of the Pass Fire has moved into monitoring status. Patrols, lookouts, helicopters, and drones are being used to observe the fire’s progression. One area of concern is the Indian Creek […]

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Wildfire Preparedness Is Year-Round: When Wind Blows, Embers May Follow!

New Mexico has experienced a slower fire season than several in the recent past, yet we have still lost homes and structures to wildfires. While it’s not possible to predict the start of every wildfire, we can think about wildfire from our home’s perspective and take actions to reduce potential risks. Even the smallest ember […]

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Pass Fire Update for June 6

Acres:  45,043                                                                                    Location:  40 miles west of Winston, NM                                        Containment: 15%                                                                            Personnel: 139 Start Date:  May 18, 2023 Cause:  Lightning Fuels:  Timber, pinon/juniper and grass The last two miles of chipping has been completed along Hwy 59. Crews have been chipping fuels that had been cut while preparing for the burnout operations. Fire crews are patrolling […]

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Magdalena Ranger District to Implement Corn Canyon Prescribed Fire

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – June 6, 2023 – Fire Managers on the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands (NF & NGs) plan to conduct previously announced prescribed fire operations on the Magdalena Ranger District Corn Canyon Unit 2a. Ignitions are planned to start as early as Wed. June 7 and continue thru Fri. June 9. Ignition […]

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Pass Fire Update for June 5

Acres: 42,665 Location: 40 miles west of Winston, NM Containment: 18% Personnel: 141 Start Date: May 18, 2023 Cause: Lightning Fuels: Timber, pinon/juniper and grass The last piece of the Road 21 preparation was completed yesterday after firefighters finished clearing brush around structures on private land. The 21 Road is now cleared to Snow Lake […]

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Pass Fire update for June 4

Acres:  42,703                                                                                    Location:  40 miles west of Winston, NM                                        Containment: 13%                                                                              Personnel: 158 Start Date:   May 18, 2023 Cause:  Lightning Fuels:  Timber, pinon/juniper and grass Yesterday, firefighters worked to thin vegetation along the 21 Road west of the fire perimeter. In the event that fire moves to the west, this will improve the ability of firefighters to hold fire […]

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Pass Fire update for June 3

Acres:  29,073                                                                                    Location:  40 miles west of Winston, NM                                        Containment: 0%                                                                              Personnel: 164 Start Date:   May 18, 2023 Cause:  Lightning Fuels:  Timber, pinon/juniper and grass Visibility over the fire decreased yesterday due to smoke and aerial operations were canceled. Cloud cover helped crews on the ground by cooling the fire area, reducing fire behavior, and […]

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Pass Fire Update for June 2

Acres: 20,207 acres Location: 40 miles west of Winston, NM Containment: 0% Personnel: 160 Start Date: May 18, 2023 Cause: Lightning Fuels: Timber, Timber litter and grass Yesterday the operational focus was to burnout the area south of Hwy 59 and west of Beaver Creek, tying it in to the main fire. A helicopter was […]

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Pass Fire update for June 1

Acres: 17,282 acres Location: 40 miles west of Winston, NM Containment: 0% Personnel: 151 Start Date: May 18, 2023 Cause: Lightning-caused Fuels: Timber, Timber litter and grass Structures Lost: None The Pass Fire behavior has been low to moderate. This activity is characterized by creeping, with generally low flames length on the surface of the […]

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