New Mexico Fire Update

 

Date Started: 1 p.m., 6/26/2011 Number of Personnel:  Approximately 341 personnel including three hotshot crews and nine handcrews .
Location: Approximately 12 miles southwest of Los Alamos off NM 4 at mile marker 35  Fuels: Mixed Conifer, Ponderosa Pine. Fuel moisture is extremely low.
Cause: Unknown – under investigation Equipment: Four dozers and 12 engines 
Size: 60,741 acres based on 06/28 0300 infrared data Aircraft: Five helicopters
Percent Contained: 3%  Residences Destroyed: 12

 Media should call (505) 428-7739 to coordinate interviews.

  • For information regarding evacuations or information regarding the Los Alamos National Laboratory, please call 505-820-1226.

 Community Meetings

Wednesday, June 29:

  • 2 p.m., the Los Alamos County Council will host a town hall meeting with White Rock residents and those who have been evacuated from Los Alamos. The meeting will be held at the White Rock Baptist Church (80 State Rt 4). Atomic City Transit will offer bus service from the two shelters to the meeting. Bus pick up times are: 12:45 p.m. at the Santa Claran Resort Center and 1:15 p.m. at the Cities of Gold Hotel Conference Center.
  • 6 p.m. at the Madonna Parish Hall in Jemez Springs, off Hwy 4 between mile marker 15 and 16.
  • 6 p.m. at the Cochiti Pueblo Community Center, 255 Cochiti Street, Cochiti Pueblo.

Thursday, June 30:

  •  
    • 5 p.m. at the Senior Center, One Kee Street, Santa Clara Pueblo.

Fire Update

Area Command Team 1 (Dan Oltrogge, Area Commander) and an additional Type 1 Incident Management Team (Dugger Hughes, Incident Commander) in-briefed with host agencies today.  The fire will be zoned beginning tomorrow.  Rienarz’s Type 1 Incident Management Team will manage the north zone of the fire and Hughes’s Incident Management Team will manage the south zone.

A Sandoval County Assessment team is completing a post fire damage assessment. Their current assessment has documented twelve residences destroyed.

Fire activity today was active with short range spotting and short crown runs.  Fire growth occurred in all directions.  The fire had some thunderstorm activity however no measurable precipitation occurred over the fire. 

North – Firefighters scouted potential fireline and burnout opportunities, including opportunities for aerial ignition on peaks to help moderate fire intensity.  There is active fire in the Pajarito Ski Resort. Firefighters are providing structural protection in the area. Firefighters constructed dozer line around a slopover north of State Road (SR) 4.  Aerial resources were unable to fly in the afternoon due to smoky conditions in the area.

East side – Firefighters are mopping up along State Road (SR) 4.  The area is looking good east of SR 501.  Structural protection continues in Bandelier National Monument.

South side – The fire is backing down several drainages.  Firefighters are scouting for potential fireline south of the fire.

Current Evacuations:

City of Los Alamos – The acting Los Alamos County Administrator issued an evacuation order for the city of Los Alamos. The Cities of Gold hotel in Pojoaque is offering shelter services for evacuating residents of Los Alamos. Los Alamos evacuees are advised against sheltering in White Rock, although White Rock is not at risk. White Rock is currently under a voluntary evacuation.The Cities of Gold hotel in Pojoaque offers shelter services for evacuating residents of the Los Alamos townsite. Cities of Gold also accepts pets. Many residents remain in White Rock following voluntary evacuations which began Sunday. Los Alamos townsite evacuees are advised against sheltering in White Rock, although White Rock is not at risk. The Cities of Gold hotel in Pojoaque offers shelter services for evacuating residents of the Los Alamos townsite. Cities of Gold also accepts pets. Many residents remain in White Rock following voluntary evacuations which began Sunday. Los Alamos townsite evacuees are advised against sheltering in White Rock, although White Rock is not at risk. The Cities of Gold hotel in Pojoaque offers shelter services for evacuating residents of the Los Alamos townsite. Cities of Gold also accepts pets. Many residents remain in White Rock following voluntary evacuations which began Sunday. Los Alamos townsite evacuees are advised against sheltering in White Rock, although White Rock is not at risk.

The Santa Fe Animal Shelter and Humane Society and the Espanola Valley Humane Society will be taking in dogs, cats and other small household pets to help those displaced by the Las Conches Fire. They are also collecting names for those willing to host animals. For more information, please contact: Santa Fe (503) 983-4309, or Espanola (505) 753-8662.

Pre-Evacuation Alert

If you live near the fire or near the Forest, you should always be ready for emergencies including evacuations, the three-step process is easy to remember and implement:

  • Ready – Take personal responsibility and prepare before the threat of a wildland fire so your home is ready in case of a fire. Create defensible space by clearing brush away from your home. Use fire-resistant landscaping and harden your home with fire-safe construction measures. Assemble emergency supplies and belongings in a safe spot. Plan escapes routes. Make sure all those residing within the home know the plan of action.
  • Set – Act immediately. Pack your vehicle with your emergency items. Remember your six P’s: people, personal computers, pets, pills, papers and pictures. Stay aware of the latest news and information on the fire from local media and your local fire department.
  • Go – Leave early! Follow your personal action plan. Doing so will not only support your safety, but will allow firefighters to best maneuver resources to combat the fire.

 Closures

NM 4 is closed at Jemez Falls Campground and at NM 501. NM 502 westbound into Los Alamos is now closed to all motorists. Access is controlled and limited to official traffic until further notification.

Bureau of Land Management: The Bureau of Land Management’s Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument will close to the public beginning on Wednesday June 29.  The monument isn’t currently threatened, but the road to the monument will be used by firefighters to access the southern flank of the fire.

Bandelier National Monument: The Bandelier National Monument will be closed indefinitely.                                        

Los Alamos National Labs: The Los Alamos National Laboratory will be closed due to the fire. All laboratory facilities will be closed for all activities, and nonessential employees are directed to remain off site. Employees that are considered nonessential should not report to work unless specifically directed by their line managers. Employees should check local news sources, the LANL Update Hotline (505) 667-6622 and the LANL web page www.lanl.gov for updates. All radioactive and hazardous material is appropriately accounted for and protected. LANL staff is coordinating the on-site response and supporting the county and federal fire response.

Safety Message

The wildfire and burnout operations will continue to produce heavy smoke.  Residents with respiratory problems in the path of smoke may want to consider relocating temporarily until smoke dissipates.  Motorists should exercise caution due to reduced visibility.

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Little Lewis Fire Information – 6/28/2011 – 9:00 pm

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Dan Ware

Start Date & Time:  6/28  1226                                  Start Location:  8 miles south of Mayhill

 Cause of Fire:  lightning                                              Area Vegetation: Piñon/Juniper fuels

Acres Burned: 150 acres                                            Ownership(s):  private and USFS

Structures Threatened: 15-30                                Structures Burned: 0

Evacuations (Y or N & #): yes – The villages of Sacramento and Weed have been evacuated as a Precautionary only. There are 15 to 30 homes that are immediately threatened. According to officials at the scene, about 12 families have evacuated. About 250 residences are affected by the evacuation. It’s not known how many are actually occupied as permanent or seasonal residences.

The Sacramento Methodist Camp has been completely evacuated. 150 campers and staff are safe and sound and on their way to the evacuation shelter at Cloudcroft high school. Camp staff will alert families about the situation.

Situation:  Crews are agressively fighting the fire. Slurry slowed but has not stopped the spread of the fire.  The fire jumped containment lines earlier this evening, causing the precautionary evacuations. 

% Contained: 0%

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Donaldson Fire Information – 6/28/2011 – 8:00 pm

Posted on June 28, 2011 by jmyslivy

Donaldson Fire

FACT SHEET 

For Immediate Release:  Tuesday, June 28, 2011 8:00 p.m.

Donaldson Fire Information – (505) 670-4829 Team PIOs Jennifer Myslivy or Joel Arnwine

Detected:  June 28th 2011

Cause:  Lightning

Containment: 0 percent

Location:  6 miles south of Hondo, NM

Fuel Type:  Pinion juniper, brush and grass

Terrain:  Steep and Rugged

Precautionary evacuations are being conducted for Alamo Canyon by Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department and Lincoln County Emergency Services.

 

Pecos Zone Type III Incident Management Team (Tudor IC) took over management of the Donaldson Fire as of 4:00 p.m. on today. Additional resources have been ordered and will be assigned to the fire as they arrive. The Donaldson Incident Command Post (ICP) has been set up at the Hope School on HWY 70.

 

 Current Size:  estimated at 15,000 acres – The fire will be mapped tomorrow by GPS and a more accurate estimate of size will be provided in tomorrow’s fact sheet.

Summary: The fire is actively burning in steep, rocky, inaccessible terrain in private lands south of Hondo, NM.

1 Air Attack, 1 Lead Plane, 4 Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) and 1Module Aerial Fire Fighting Support (MAFFS) #7 C-130 worked the fire for most of the day, and a Type 2 helicopter has been ordered for operations tomorrow.

The fire grew rapidly during the day due to extremely dry conditions and gusty winds. Structure protection is being conducted around multiple ranch houses within the fire perimeter.

Fire personnel are using both direct and indirect suppression tactics to contain the fire and keep it from moving further south.

Fire Behavior: Extreme fire behavior (running) is being observed with strong pushes towards Pajarita Mountain and is currently burning within the Mescalero-Apache Reservation.

Weather: Wednesday – Sunny with Temps: 95 degrees, Relative Humidity’s 6 % and Winds 13-18 from the South

 

Resources: Resources from the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico State Forestry, and area volunteer departments responded. Approximately 128 personnel are assigned to the fire.

 

Structures Threatened: 5 structures threatened with one of them being a primary residence.

 

Smoke from the fire may impact the communities of Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs, Capitan, Lincoln, Hondo, Fort Stanton, Tinnie, San Patricio and other surrounding areas so please take precautions if you have any health or respiratory issues.


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Los Alamos County Update – June 28, 2011 4:30 p.m.

Posted on June 28, 2011 by npsnmfireinfo

Los Alamos, NM – The Los Alamos County Council will host a town hall meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) with White Rock residents and those who have been evacuated from Los Alamos. A representative of the USFS will be on hand to answer questions about the fire. The meeting will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the White Rock Baptist Church (80 State Rt 4). Atomic City Transit will offer bus service from the two shelters to the meeting. Bus pick up times are: 12:45 p.m. at the Santa Claran Resort Center and 1:15 p.m. at the Cities of Gold Hotel Conference Center.

Media Advisory: Fire Chief Doug Tucker will give a Las Conchas fire update to the press at the Media Staging Area at 20th/Trinity at approximately 7 p.m. The County will continue to co-host Noon news conferences with LANL at the Media Staging Area until further notice.

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Los Alamos County – June 28, 2011 3:00 p.m.

Posted on June 28, 2011 by npsnmfireinfo

Los Alamos, NM – Los Alamos County officials announced this afternoon that they are going to remain on “essential services” status for tomorrow (Wednesday) due to the Las Conchas fire. Trash pick-up for the commercial district will continue. White Rock residents are still encouraged to leave White Rock if they have health considerations, as smoke will continue to settle heavily overnight into the area from the Las Conchas wildfire.

Starting today, the USPS has arranged for mail service for those who evacuated from Los Alamos. Mail can be picked up at the Pojoaque High School Gym. Residents will need to show a photo ID. Atomic City Transit is offering bus service to/from the shelters to the gym. Mail pick up hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. – Noon.

This morning, 40 firefighters working in Los Alamos Canyon cleared fuels immediately around the County’s Ice Rink to help protect the structure in case the fire enters the canyon. They also worked on protecting the Ski Lodge on Pajarito Mountain, where the fire continues to be very active. A second Type 1 Incident Management Team has been added and they are now actively working on the fire with hundreds of firefighters battling the blaze.

County councilors are working on details for holding a public meeting and general briefing tomorrow afternoon in White Rock, with representatives from the Forest Service in attendance to give updates on the fire. Details will be forthcoming on time/date/place.

County press releases are now being sent to the two shelters to be posted for those sheltered there, in addition to the other media outlets.

The County will offer Atomic City Bus service to those who are in the two shelters to tonight’s 6 o’clock meeting hosted by the USFS at Pojoaque High School Gym. Bus pickup times are: 5:15 pm for the Santa Claran Resort Center and 5:45 pm for the Cities of Gold Hotel Conference Center.

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Las Conchas Fire Update – June 28, 2011, 11:30 am

Posted on June 28, 2011 by npsnmfireinfo

Las Conchas Fire Update
For Immediate Release: June 28, 2011, 11:30 am

Fire Information: 505-428-7735 or 505-216-2685 (Daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
Website Info: www.inciweb.org or www.nmfireinfo.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/T1SWIMT

Date Started: 1 p.m., 6/26/2011  Number of Personnel:  Approximately 315. Resources include two hotshot crews and nine hand crews.  An Area Command Team and an additional Type I Incident Management Team have been assigned to the fire.
Location: Approximately 12 miles southwest of Los Alamos off NM 4 at mile marker 35 Fuels: Mixed Conifer, Ponderosa Pine. Fuel moisture is extremely low.
Cause: Unknown – under investigation Equipment: Five dozers and 13 engines
Size: 60,741 acres based on infrared data Aircraft: Seven helicopters
Percent Contained: 0%

 Media should call (505) 428-7739 to coordinate interviews.
 For information regarding evacuations or information regarding the Los Alamos National Laboratory, please call 505-820-1226.
 A public meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., Wednesday, June 29, at the Madonna Parish Hall in Jemez Springs, off Hwy 4 between mile marker 15 and 16.

Fire Update:
East – Crews are working to protect structures near Bandelier, as well as working to contain the fire along the Frijole Canyon.
West – Crews are building direct lines to prevent fire movement to the west.
Northeast – Crews are working to contain the fire using burnout methods to prevent the fire from spreading north of Pajarito Road and east of Highway 501.
South – North of Cochiti fire progression is being slowed by lighter fuel types. Firefighters are evaluating methods to stop the fire from spreading south.
 
Current Evacuations:
City of Los Alamos – The acting Los Alamos County Administrator issued an evacuation order for the city of Los Alamos. The Cities of Gold hotel in Pojoaque is offering shelter services for evacuating residents of Los Alamos. Los Alamos evacuees are advised against sheltering in White Rock, although White Rock is not at risk. White Rock is currently under a voluntary evacuation.

Pre-Evacuation Alert
If you live near the fire or near the Forest, you should always be ready for emergencies including evacuations, the three-step process is easy to remember and implement:
• Ready – Take personal responsibility and prepare before the threat of a wildland fire so your home is ready in case of a fire. Create defensible space by clearing brush away from your home. Use fire-resistant landscaping and harden your home with fire-safe construction measures. Assemble emergency supplies and belongings in a safe spot. Plan escapes routes. Make sure all those residing within the home know the plan of action.
• Set – Act immediately. Pack your vehicle with your emergency items. Remember your six P’s: people, personal computers, pets, pills, papers and pictures. Stay aware of the latest news and information on the fire from local media and your local fire department.
• Go – Leave early! Follow your personal action plan. Doing so will not only support your safety, but will allow firefighters to best maneuver resources to combat the fire.

Closures
NM 4 is closed at Jemez Falls Campground and at NM 501. NM 502 westbound into Los Alamos is now closed to all motorists. Access is controlled and limited to official traffic until further notification.

Bandelier National Monument: The Bandelier National Monument will be closed indefinitely.
                                                                      
Los Alamos National Labs: The Los Alamos National Laboratory will be closed due to the fire. All laboratory facilities will be closed for all activities, and nonessential employees are directed to remain off site. Employees that are considered nonessential should not report to work unless specifically directed by their line managers. Employees should check local news sources, the LANL Update Hotline (505) 667-6622 and the LANL web page www.lanl.gov for updates. All radioactive and hazardous material is appropriately accounted for and protected. LANL staff is coordinating the on-site response and supporting the county and federal fire response.

Safety Message
The wildfire and burnout operations will continue to produce heavy smoke.  Residents with respiratory problems in the path of smoke may want to consider relocating temporarily until smoke dissipates.  Motorists should exercise caution due to reduced visibility.

###

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Pacheco Fire News Release – June 28, 2011 7:00 a.m.

Posted on June 28, 2011 by npsnmfireinfo

Pacheco Fire News Release

June 28, 2011  7:00 a.m.

Fire Information:  (505) 473-3760 or (505) 473-3792

7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Acres:  10,057                                          tart date:  June 18, 2011

Cause:  Under Investigation               Location:  2 miles north of Santa Fe Ski Basin

Containment: 15 percent                     Fuels:  Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine

Terrain:  Steep, rugged                        Resources:  18 crews, 15 engines, 7 water tenders, 1 dozer

Total personnel: 699                            Available air support:  9 helicopters

 Summary: Weather conditions helped the firefighting effort yesterday with temperatures a few degrees lower, slightly higher humidity and less wind throughout the day.  The result was moderated fire activity on all parts of the fire area.  With reduced fire activity crews were able to build direct line on the west side and on the southeast portion of the fire.   All of the existing firelines held through the burning period.

 Firefighters on the southern and western perimeter of the fire will continue to hold and improve existing line, construct direct line to Rio Nambe and conduct firing operations as needed.  Direct line construction will start from Rancho Viejo and proceed northeast along the northern perimeter of the fire.  Crews will be flown into the Rio Frijoles drainage and will construct direct line on the northern perimeter proceeding southwest to meet up with the line construction coming from Rancho Viejo.  On the southern portion of the fire direct hand line will continue from the wilderness boundary toward the northeast.

 Thunderstorms are predicted to develop in the mid to late afternoon from the increase in humidity contributing to possible increased fire behavior from strong, erratic winds.  Due to limited moisture the thunderstorms will develop dry lightning.  Winds will change to south/southwesterly later in the day.

Cause:  The Santa Fe National Forest is requesting that anyone having knowledge of or having been in the vicinity of the Pacheco Fire (north of Aspen Ranch by the Borrego Trail) between June 17 and June 18 please contact the Santa Fe National Forest at (505) 438-5372. 

Threats:  The Santa Fe watershed, Santa Fe ski area, Nambe Pueblo lands, Tesuque Pueblo lands and Tesuque Peak communications site remained threatened.  No evacuations are in effect at this time within Pacheco Canyon.  Residents of the area should remain aware of changing conditions as fire spread increases.

Smoke: With shifting winds the smoke from the Pacheco Fire moved to the north yesterday,  however communities in the region may be impacted by smoke.  Smoke sensitive persons in these areas need to be alert to this possibility and be prepared to take any necessary precautions.  For more smoke information and air quality forecasts, please visit the New Mexico Environment Department’s website at http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/aqb/WildfireSmokeResources.htm.

Other websites with useful information concerning smoke are:

http://smoke.airfire.org/sw-outlook

http://smoke.airfire.org/sw-outlook/map

http://smoke.airfire.org/sw-monitoring

 Road and Fire Area Closure: New Mexico Route 475, also known as Hyde Park Road, and Artist Road are closed at mile post 9, at the Forest boundary.  Forest Service Road 102 to Pacheco Road is also closed. 

 A Fire Area Closure has been enacted.  Review it at: www.fs.fed.us/r3/sfe/conditions/index.html

 Open and active:  Communities in and around the Santa Fe National Forest remain open and accessible including Tesuque, Pojoaque, Nambe, Santa Fe, and Pecos (including the Highway 63 corridor).

 Fire Restrictions:  The Santa Fe National Forest has implemented Stage III Fire Restrictions across the Forest.  Stage III Fire Restrictions restrict access to/use of certain parts of the Forest, yet there are recreational opportunities available.  The detailed list of what is off limits (restricted) is now available.  For that list please visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/sfe/.  Open areas will remain under Stage II restrictions.

 Additional information, pictures and maps may be found at:  www.inciweb.org and http://azcw2.imtcenter.net/main/index.aspx

 *End*

 

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Las Conchas Wildfire – June 28 8:30 am

Posted on June 28, 2011 by lmlujan

June 27, 2011 at 11 a.m.
LAS CONCHAS WILDFIRE UPDATE
Fire Name: Las Conchas
Time/Date Started: 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 26, 2011
Location: Jemez Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest; approximately 3 miles south of Los Alamos. The fire started on private land off of NM 4 at mile marker 35.
Legal Description: T18N, R4E, SEC 4
Cause: Unknown, under investigation
Fuels: Mixed Conifer, Ponderosa Pine, Pinon-Juniper
Size: 60,740 acres (Updated acreage from the Infrared Flight last night)

 
% Contained: 0
Resources Committed: Joe S. Reinarz’ Type 1 Incident Management Team took over management of the fire at 6:00pm this evening. Seven Hotshot crews (Type 1 crews), 12 Type 2 Crews, 31 engines, 3 water tenders, 5 dozers and 20 aircraft (12 air tankers and 8 helicopters). Numerous resources on-scene and more are en route.

Weather: Today’s weather: mostly sunny in the morning then partly cloudy with a slight chance of dry thunderstorms in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation: 10 percent. Max temperatures: 82 degrees. Relative humidity: 13 percent. Southwest winds 14 mph with gusts up to 25 mph diminishing through sunrise. Gusty and erratic winds expected near thunderstorms in the afternoon.
Structures/threats: Structures, powerlines, natural gas lines, Bandelier National Monument and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).

Evacuations: Las Alamos and surrounding communties within the fire perimeter. Voluntary evacuations are in place for the Cochiti area.
If you live near the fire or near the Forest who should always be ready for emergencies including evacuations, the three-step process is easy to remember and implement:

Ready – Take personal responsibility and prepare long before the threat of a wildland fire so your home is ready in case of a fire. Create defensible space by clearing brush away from your home. Use fire-resistant landscaping and harden your home with fire-safe construction measures. Assemble emergency supplies and belongings in a safe spot. Plan escapes routes. Make sure all those residing within the home know the plan of action.

Set – Act immediately. Pack your vehicle with your emergency items. Remember your six P’s: people, personnel computers, pets, pills, papers and pictures. Stay aware of the latest news and information on the fire from local media and your local fire department.

Go – Leave early! Follow your personal action plan. Doing so will not only support your safety, but will allow firefighters to best maneuver resources to combat the fire.
Road Closures: NM 4 is closed at due to spotting across the road way and NM 501.
Los Alamos National Labs: The Los Alamos National Laboratory will be closed due to the fire. All laboratory facilities will be closed for all activities and nonessential employees are directed to remain off site. Employees are considered nonessential and should not report to work unless specifically directed by their line managers. Employees should check local news sources, the LANL Update Hotline 505-667-6622 and the LANL web page www.lanl.gov for updates. All radioactive and hazardous material is appropriately accounted for and protected. LANL staff is coordinating the on-site response and supporting the county and federal fire response.
Bandelier National Monument: The Bandelier National Monument will be closed for at least three days due to the fire.
Valles Caldera National Preserve: The Valles Caldera National Preserve is also closed.
Summary: Active fire behavior has been observed today with running and spotting on both sides of NM Hwy 4. Firefighters conducted burnout operations last night and today. Burnout operations consist of setting fire near containment line to consume fuel between the edge of the fire and the containment lines. Since this fire started firefighters have and will continue to fight this fire aggressively. A Temproary Flight Restriction (TFR) has been established over the fire perimeter.
Smoke:

Increased smoke impacts are anticipated around both the Pacheco and Las Conchas fires associated with a wind shift to the east Monday night.  Fire growth has been significant on the Las Conchas fire which results in more
significant smoke impacts for nearby communities as well as potentially being transported longer distances. The Forest Service is working closely with NM Environment Department, NM Department of Health, National Weather
Service and other land management agencies to develop joint messages for the public on potential air quality impacts.  As part of this joint effort, experimental computer models developed by Forest Service Pacific Northwest
Research Station AirFire Team are being utilized to model smoke impacts.  To better understand the impacts of the fires and best advise the public, increased air quality monitoring is being conducted by the cooperating agencies.  Winds across the region will shift dramatically to the east Monday evening, driving smoke from the Las Conchas Fire into Jemez Springs, Los Alamos, and potentially Cuba.  With this wind shift, smoke from the Pacheco Fire will likely impact Nambé Pueblo, Chimayo, Cochiti, Santa Fe, and Española. Winds will begin to shift to more of a southerly direction
Tuesday morning and strengthen.  With the changing winds, smoke impacts are hard to pin point and caution should be used near fire activity and if visibility is ramatically reduced which indicates high smoke and particulate levels. For a smoke forecast from the Las Conchas and Pacheco Wildfires visit: http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/predictive/outlooks/smoke/swcc_smoke_outlook.pdf. For more information on how to protect yourself from smoke visit: http://nmhealth.org/eheb/documents/Smoke_FACTSHEET_06.8.11_000.pdf.

Filed under: Active Wildfire, Evacuations, Forest Service, NM Fire Info, NM State Forestry, Northcentral NM | 3 Comments »

Horseshoe Two Update June 28, 2011

Posted on June 28, 2011 by jmyslivy

Fire Facts:
Date started: May 8, 2011                    Number of Personnel: 255
Location: Portal, Arizona                    Crews: 5 Type 2
Size: 222,954 acres                                Engines: 2
Percent Contained: 100%                     Dozers: 1
Cause: Human                                          Water Tenders: 6
Total structures destroyed:23                Helicopters:   1 Type 3
 Cost to Date: $50.6  million  
   

Fire Update
 
The transition to a Type 3 Team started on Monday with a Transfer of Command scheduled for 6 a.m. Wednesday.  The Type 3 Incident Commander will be Dan Cottrell.
The entire fire area is in patrol status while fire fighters wrap up fire suppression rehab. On Monday, crews removed hazard trees along the 42 road and along West Turkey Creek.  On Tuesday an excavator will rehab a fire fighter safety zone on the northeast flank of the perimeter and trail work will continue in West Turkey Creek.
Crews in the Chiricahua National Monument have chipped downed trees and branches along the entire length of the paved road in anticipation of reopening soon.  BAER (Burned Area Emergency Response) assessment and implementation continues.

Read more »

Filed under: Active Wildfire, AZ Fire Info, Closures, Forest Service, NM Fire Info, Restrictions | 1 Comment »

346 Fire Update – 6/28/2011 – 9:00 pm

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Dan Ware

Fire Facts:

Date started: June 26, 2011          Number of Personnel: 187

Location: 5 miles south of Belen, New Mexico on state and private land

Crews: 6 Type 2 handcrews   Size: 262 acres

Engines: 16  Percent Contained: 60%

Dozers: Cause: Human

Estimated Containment: June 29 , 2011

Total structures destroyed: 3 homes and numerous outbuildings

Fire Update

Despite high winds that arrived this afternoon, firefighters continued to make headway on the 346 Fire. Suppression efforts again focused on reinforcing existing lines, mop-up of hot spots and rehabilitation efforts. Erratic, high winds forced crews and engines to pull back from the line for safety of personnel. Due to everyone’s awareness for safety concerns, there have been no injuries to date on the fire. No resources are planned to work on the fire tonight. The majority of crews and engines will be released to new fire assignments throughout New Mexico. Tomorrow, the Incident Management Team plans to transition the management of the fire to Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, Forestry Division’s, Socorro District. Plans call for engines to continue surveillance for smokes and hot spots.

 Closures/Advisories/Evacuations

All evacuations have been lifted. Fire officials caution homeowners to be aware of critical fire behavior that may occur in the area. The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District has closed the Rio Grande bosque, from Pena Blanca to the Bosque Del Apache Wildlife Refuge, to all users.

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Hummingbird Music Camp NOT threatened by the Las Conchas Fire

Posted on June 27, 2011 by jmyslivy

Hummingbird Music Camp in Jemez Springs, NM is currently not in danger or threatened by the fire. The fire is moving away from us and therefore our air quality is also clear. Please understand that in the case of an evacuation we have arrangements with the local Albuquerque news stations that will provide alerts and information regarding our evacuation.
However, at this time camp is running smoothly, everything is going well, and we are not currently threatened by the fire.

Filed under: NM Fire Info | Leave a Comment »

Wallow Fire Update – 6/27/2011 – 10:30 am

Posted on June 27, 2011 by jmyslivy

Fire Facts:

Location: Apache, Navajo, Graham, and Greenlee   Injuries to Date: 14
Counties, Fort Apache Indian Reservation, San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation, Arizona; Catron County, New Mexico   Total Personnel: 2,211 

Includes 19 hotshot crews;

25 handcrews

Date Started: 05/29/2011 

Cause: Human – under investigation

Residences: 18 threatened; 32 destroyed; 

5 damaged

Size:  538,048 acres total; 15,407 acres in N.M. Commercial Property: 4 threatened; 4 destroyed
Percent Contained: 82% 

Resources: 14 Helicopter; 5 Air Tankers available;

108 Engines; 43 Water Tenders; 13 Dozers

Outbuildings: 28 threatened; 36 destroyed; 

1 damaged

Vehicles: 1 destroyed

Fire Update.

The fire will continue to back downhill into Strayhorse Creek and Blue Canyon. The focus of suppression efforts in the southeast portion of the fire continues to be in the Blue River drainage with the objective to keep the fire south of Forest Road 205, west of Dry Blue Creek and the Blue River, North of Forest Road 475 north and east of US 191.  The threat continues to residential, commercial and out buildings in the Blue area.  Structure protection and patrolling of the line for hot spots in the vicinity of Luna continues.  Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) treatments are being implemented starting today.  

On the fire’s edge from US 191 continuing clockwise to Nutrioso, Ariz., crews are working at least 300 feet into the burned area extinguishing all visible smokes. US 191 and other roads are closed because of continued fire suppression and to ensure public and firefighter safety.  Hazard tree removal is being conducted along US 191 in preparation for a future reopening of the highway.  Crews are working to repair firelines and fences that were damaged during the fire.  Winds over the past several days have demonstrated the security of these lines along this portion of the fire’s edge.  Aircraft and firefighters are patrolling for fire and smoke, which will be visible in scattered islands well within containment lines.      

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Filed under: Active Wildfire, AZ Fire Info, Closures, Evacuations, Fire Prevention, Forest Service, NM Fire Info, NM State Forestry, Restrictions, Southwest NM | Leave a Comment »

Wildland Fire Data in Google Earth

Posted on June 26, 2011 by npsnmfireinfo

Did you know you can view wildland fire data in Google Earth?

 To view these layers  you will have to install and have the Google Earth program open before viewing.

 To download Google Earth visit: www.google.com/earth

You must have the Google Earth program open on your computer before opening the layers below.

Wildland Fire Data in Google Earth

Filed under: Active Wildfire, NM Fire Info | Leave a Comment »

Pacheco Fire Update, Santa Fe National Forest – June 27 at 13:00 p.m.

Posted on June 26, 2011 by lmlujan

June 27, 2011  9:00 a.m.

Fire Information:  (505) 473-3760 or (505) 473-3792

7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
 
Acres:  9,927                                      Start date:  June 18, 2011
Cause:  Under Investigation               Location:  2 miles north of Santa Fe Ski Basin

Containment: 10 percent                    Fuels:  Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine

Terrain:  Steep, rugged                       Resources:  10 crews, 15 engines, 6 water tenders, 1 dozer

Total personnel: 683                          Available air support:  10 helicopters

Summary: Yesterday’s fire behavior was active in the early afternoon especially in the northwest corner of the fire. The fire spotted over the lower Rio Capulin drainage towards the northwest and did cross over the contingency line but firefighters were able to contain the spread.  The fire also backed down towards the Rio Nambe but did not cross over the drainage.  Most of the fire continued to burn in a northeasterly direction away from any populated areas.

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Filed under: Active Wildfire, Closures, Fire Prevention, Forest Service, NM Fire Info, Northcentral NM, Restrictions | 1 Comment »

Horseshoe Two Fire BAER Team Update

Posted on June 25, 2011 by jmyslivy

EAST CORONADO BAER TEAM NEWS RELEASEJune 25, 2011 – 10:00am
 

Wilcox, AZ (June 25, 2011) – The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team assigned to the Horseshoe Two Fire that is located on the eastern portion of the Coronado National Forest and on the Chiricahua National Monument, are nearing completion of their on-the-ground assessments of the burned area.  The team resource specialists are analyzing their data and preparing a final assessment report of their findings along with potential emergency treatments, and a burn severity map that will be coordinated and shared with the Forest’s interagency cooperators and presented to the Coronado National Forest Supervisor and Forest Leadership Team. 

There are a variety of BAER treatments that can be recommended to protect watershed conditions that can pose post-fire threats to life and property, and natural and cultural resources.  These may include: the installation of erosion and runoff water control devices; temporary barriers to protect recovering areas; warning signs; and drainage features for increased flow.

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Filed under: Active Wildfire, AZ Fire Info, Forest Service, NM Fire Info | Leave a Comment »

Update for Fire Activity on ZONE 2 (east side) of the Wallow Fire 25 June 2011

Posted on June 25, 2011 by jmyslivy

Current Conditions: Operational focus of the east zone continues to be the southern area of the fire in the Blue River drainage. Crews are building fireline in an effort to keep the fire to the north and east of the 191 road. Fire is in very difficult terrain with hazardous access. Perimeter controls and structure protection continues around the community of Luna.

Fire Behavior: Today’s hot and dry weather will continue to produce dangerous fire behavior. Most fuel variables at critical levels.  Fire spread being sustained in sparse fuels

Threats: Threat continues for residential, commercial and out buildings in the Blue.

Weather: Today’s temperatures will be in the upper 90’s to near 100.

Special Information: Congressman Steve Pearce will be visiting Zone 2 East of the Willow Fire today June 25.

Community meetings to be held Sat. June 25 at 7:00 pm in the Luna Community Center, Luna, NM  87824 and  in Blue at the school on Sunday, June 26 at 2:00.

Evacuations for the Blue have been lifted for local residents.

Filed under: Active Wildfire, AZ Fire Info, Closures, Forest Service, NM Fire Info, Southwest NM | 1 Comment »

NM State Forestry Expands Fire Restrictions to Cover Entire State

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Dan Ware

SANTA FE, NM – New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Cabinet Secretary-Designate John Bemis and State Forester Tony Delfin today announced that restrictions on fireworks, smoking, campfire and open-fires will be expanded to include all 33 New Mexico counties. The restrictions will go into effect at 8:00 a.m., Friday, June 24, 2011.