Rawhide Fire 100 Percent Contained

The Rawhide Fire, which started August 8, is 100 percent contained. Fire managers do not anticipate any additional growth on 10,050-acre fire. Local crews will continue to monitor and patrol the fire area, mopping up any remaining hot spots. Smoke may continue to be visible from Carlsbad and Queen, NM until the area receives precipitation.

The closure order for Forest Service Road 522B is scheduled to be lifted in the next few days.

The Lincoln National Forest has allowed this lightning-caused fire to spread within a defined planning area of 21,500 acres. The positive benefits of this fire include a reduction of dead and down forest fuels, which may decrease the chance of high-severity wildfire in the future. Additionally, an increase in soil nutrients is typical after a low-intensity fire like the Rawhide Fire. Ash from the fire contains high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous, which acts as a natural fertilizer for established and new plants. While the fire did not spread across the entire planning area it did cover about 47 percent of the area.

This will be the last update on the Rawhide Fire unless there is a significant change.