Tag Archives: wildfire

New Mexicans Have Tough Choices

Today, the Gila National Forest lifted fire restrictions. While the fire danger on the forest has decreased from “extreme” to “moderate”, the potential for large wildfires remains. The public is urged to remain vigilant when they visit the forest. Remember to use any fire source in a cautious manner. Never leave a campfire unattended. When […]

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Gila National Forest Lifts Stage II Fire Restrictions

Silver City, NM – June 24 — The Gila National Forest has lifted all fire restrictions as of 8:00 a.m. today. Forest leadership made the decision to lift stage II restrictions based on several factors, including a favorable monsoonal weather forecast, lesser occurrence of human caused wildfires, and adequate firefighting staffing. Fire managers will continue […]

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New Start-Peppin Canyon Fire, Lincoln National Forest

Incident Name – Peppin Canyon Fire Jurisdiction: Lincoln National Forest, Smokey Bear Ranger District Size: 2 acres Date/Time Detected: June 11, 2022, 3:00 pm Cause: Lightning Location: North side of the Capitan Wilderness   Firefighting Resources: County and Forest Service firefighting resources. Type 3 helicopter. Air Attack. Fuel Type: The fire is in a burn scar and is […]

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Bear Trap Fire update for May 29, 2022

Acres: 38,225 acres             Containment: 75% Cause: Undetermined Total Personnel: 357          Start Date: May 1, 2022 Location: San Mateo Mountains, Magdalena Ranger District, Socorro County, NM Fuels: Pine, Pinyon-Juniper and Grass Highlights: Fire lines were tested by high winds Saturday and held up well as more than three-quarters of the fire now is considered contained. Crews […]

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Bear Trap Fire update May 27, 2022

Acres: 38,091 acres             Containment: 41% Cause: Undetermined Total Personnel: 428          Start Date:  May 1, 2022 Location: San Mateo Mountains, Magdalena Ranger District, Socorro County, NM Fuels: Pine, Pinyon-Juniper and Grass Highlights:  Thursday was a solid day on the Bear Trap Fire as crews patrolled fire containment lines and conducted mop up operations along the southern […]

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Gila NF: Johnson Fire Update for June 11, 2021

Friday, June 11, 2021 Visit the New Mexico Fire Information website at http://www.nmfireinfo.com Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7493/   Fire Phone 575-519-0103 JOHNSON FIRE Location: Johnson Canyon, west of McKenna Park. 11 miles west of Gila Cliff Dwellings, Wilderness Ranger District, Catron County, NM Start Date: May 20, 2021                                       Size: ~ 50,384                                         Cause:  Lightning    […]

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Gila NF: Drummond Fire Update, June 10, 2021

Date: June 10, 2021 Announcement: Unless significant fire activity increases on the Drummond Fire, news releases will occur only as changes develop during the next week. Location:  The Drummond Fire is one mile south of Emory Pass on the Gila National Forest, Black Range Ranger District, Sierra County, NM Start Date:  May 19, 2021                Size: […]

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Spring Fire Update: 2/6/21, 9:15 am

Jurisdiction: State/Private and Lincoln National Forest Size: 17 acres Cause: Human Caused, Structure Fire Date/Time Detected: 8:30pm Feb. 5, 2021 Location: Near Hay Canyon Rd and Agua Chiquita Rd (near Sacramento, NM) Firefighting Resources: 2 Type-6 engines, numerous volunteer fire departments, miscellaneous personnel. Additional resource including personnel, a bulldozer and water tenders have been ordered and […]

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Ojo de los Casos Fire will Transition to Type 4 Incident Tomorrow

Mountainair, NM – For Immediate Release – Moderate winds tested the fire once again yesterday. It remains at 180 acres, and containment has increased to 59%. Today, the Albuquerque Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team will prepare to transition command of the Ojo de los Casos Fire back to the jurisdictional agencies, which include the […]

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Winds test Ojo de los Casos Fire lines

Mountainair, NM – For Immediate Release – Strong wind gusts yesterday tested fire lines constructed by fire crews over the past five days. Fire lines withstood the test, and the Ojo de los Casos fire is still at 180 acres and is now 50% contained. There is a 30% chance of rain expected today along […]

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Ojo de los Casos Crews Assist in Mutual Aid Fire

Mountainair, NM – For Immediate Release – Great progress is still being made in containing the Ojo de los Casos Fire.  The fire, burning on the Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest and private lands protected by New Mexico State Forestry, remains at 180 acres and is 38% contained. Yesterday firefighters continued fireline […]

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How a “dirty burn” affects wildfire containment percentage

Wildfire perimeters aren’t always easy to define. When drawn on a public map, they are often depicted as one simple line to describe the outermost bounds of the area that is burning. However, fire may not burn evenly throughout the interior of that fire, so things might look quite different on the ground. The reasons […]

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Ojo de los Casos Fire 10% Contained

Mountainair, NM – For Immediate Release – Firefighters continue to make progress in their work to contain the Ojo de los Casos Fire that has been active over the past couple of days. The fire, burning on the Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest has reached 180 acres and is 10% contained. Containment […]

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Ojo de Los Casos Fire Burning Near Dog Head Fire Scar

Mountainair, NM – For Immediate Release – The Ojo de los Casos Fire started on the Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest on Wednesday July 8, 2020 around 6:00 pm. It is located in Torrance County, roughly 7 miles southwest of the village of Chilili. Firefighters quickly responded with air support (water, fire […]

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Vics Peak Fire Transitioning Back to Local Type 4 Organization Tomorrow

Magdalena, NM – For Immediate Release – The lightning-caused Vics Peak Fire, burning on the Magdalena Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest since June 15, has grown to 11,713 acres, with 124 personnel assigned. The chance for fire weather conditions will continue its downward trajectory into the weekend. The potential for fire growth has […]

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Containment Climbs as Moisture Moves in on Vics Peak Fire

Magdalena, NM – For Immediate Release – The lightning-caused Vics Peak Fire, burning on the Magdalena Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest since June 15, has grown to 11,463 acres, with 172 personnel assigned. The chance for fire weather conditions will continue its downward trajectory over the next four days. The potential for fire […]

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Vics Peak Fire 18% Contained, Holds Through Critical Fire Weather

Magdalena, NM – For Immediate Release – The lightning-caused Vics Peak Fire, burning on the Magdalena Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest since June 15, has grown to 10,624 acres, with 172 personnel assigned. Fire behavior continues to be active, mainly within the interior, and it will likely continue to produce heat until the […]

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Vics Peak Fire 3% Contained, Uptick in Fire Activity from Recent Weather

Magdalena, NM – For Immediate Release – The lightning-caused Vics Peak Fire, burning on the Magdalena Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest since June 15, has grown to 9,924 acres, with 173 personnel assigned. Yesterday’s critical fire weather led to more active fire behavior. Most of the elevated fire activity was to the north, […]

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Specialists Improve Weather and Fire Behavior Predictions on Vics Peak Fire

Magdalena, NM – For Immediate Release – The lightning-caused Vics Peak Fire, burning on the Magdalena Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest since June 15, has grown to 9,293 acres (3% contained), with 191 personnel assigned. Firefighters have been anticipating the critical fire weather conditions forecast for today. A Long-Term Analyst has been working […]

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Crews Prepare for Critical Fire Weather Expected Monday on Vics Peak Fire

Magdalena, NM – For Immediate Release – The lightning-caused Vics Peak Fire, burning on the Magdalena Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest since June 15, has grown to 8,886 acres, with 194 personnel assigned. Ground resources continue to hold and improve containment lines with help from aerial operations as weather allows. Today, air operations […]

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