Incidents All News

Fire crews fully contained the American Mesa Fire today. The lightning-caused fire was first reported on Aug. 5 and burned 386 acres. The fire, which started off Forest Road 310E on the Jicarilla Ranger District, was first detected during hot, dry and windy conditions, three days after thunderstorms rolled through the area. The weather soon shifted, giving crews an upper hand and prompting a decrease in fire danger and removal of local forest fire restrictions across the Carson National Forest. Rain began to fall as crews wrapped up containment today.

TAOS, N.M., Aug.  14, 2023 – There is light at the end of the tunnel for the American Mesa Fire as the crews have brought the fire to 82% containment. The size remains at 386 acres. Due to the current weather pattern, infrared (IR) flights are no longer needed and have been canceled.

TAOS, N.M., Aug. 12, 2023 – Fire crews have been able to walk the entire perimeter confirming that the fire footprint is smaller than previously estimated. The updated acreage for the American Mesa Fire is 386 acres and it is 71% contained. An infrared (IR) flight to detect residual heat is expected Saturday evening. Abundant monsoon moisture is expected to bring numerous showers this evening. Potential gusty, unpredictable wind could threaten containment lines.

A classic monsoon pattern more typical of the first half of August will bring increasingly moist, favorable weather conditions and much needed rainfall to active fires within the outlook area through week’s end into early next week. This includes the Black Feather and American Mesa fires. The period from Saturday through Monday looks especially wet with scattered to numerous showers and slow-moving thunderstorms. This multi-day fire-slowing pattern will significantly reduce fire activity and smoke.

A substantial plume of monsoon moisture will continue to overspread the area from south to north this weekend into early next week. Increased humidity, cloud cover, and daily rounds of scattered-widespread showers and thunderstorms will significantly reduce fire activity. As a result, smoke impacts, if any, are expected to remain minimal and localized to areas near the fire perimeters

TAOS, N.M., Aug. 10, 2023 – Despite sunny, warm conditions over the fire area, the American Mesa Fire continues to hold at 756 acres and is 35% contained. The wildfire is 15 miles southwest of Dulce. “We received some isolated torching of juniper trees,” said Operations Planning Chief Jay Bertek on August 9, “But nothing escaped the line. Crews are making good progress securing hose lays and protecting the fire line edge.”

TAOS, N.M., Aug. 8, 2023 – A Type 3 Incident Management Team, Nevada Team 2, took command of the fire at 6:00 a.m. on August 8. Fire crews have made excellent progress in holding the fire at 756 acres, with 25% containment. “We received an outstanding hand off from Carson National Forest Operations,” said Incident Commander Brian Kitchen, “We want to ensure crews are staying safe while keeping the fire at bay during this transition.”

Overall, GOOD air quality conditions are expected through the outlook period.

Despite critical fire weather conditions, crews on the ground and in the air kept growth of the American Mesa Fire at a minimum. The fire is currently 756 acres with 25% containment.  “This fire really wanted to move,” said Jicarilla Ranger District Duty Officer Brent Woffindin. “But our crews worked hard to keep it at bay and it paid off.”  Forecasts call for improved weather on Tuesday, when there is a 30% chance of showers. Temperatures may be cooler with higher humidities and breezy conditions. 

Fire crews and air resources assigned to the American Mesa Fire made initial progress by increasing containment to 8% from 0% today. The fire, which is moving eastward, grew 50 acres from 400. It is located about 16 miles southwest of Dulce, N.M., on the Jicarilla Ranger District.