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GRANTS, NM — The Encerrita Fire again had very little activity on Monday as the area again received additional rainfall. The fire remained 2496 acres. On Monday, firefighters patrolled established fire lines and monitored areas where interior fuels are consuming. An infrared (IR) flight provided fire managers with added intelligence on the fire, showing scattered heat throughout the fire area. No areas are anticipated to threaten fire lines or other containment features.

The Encerrita fire is 2,496 acres, and 0% contained. The fire area received more precipitation this weekend which kept fire activity at a minimum. On Sunday, the helicopter assigned to the incident flew the fire’s perimeter and observed minimal smoke and fire behavior. Firefighters continued line construction on the north and west sides of the fire and patrolling the fire edge closest to Highway 53. On Monday, firefighters will be addressing an area on the fire’s southwest corner that continues to hold heat in addition to patrolling lines on the west and north sides of the fire.

The 2,496 acres, 0% contained. Encerrita Fire has received a notable amount of precipitation over the past several days, with more precipitation in the forecast over the coming week. The previously issued “Ready” evacuation notice for residents north of the fire was rescinded on Saturday, June 22nd.  The welcomed precipitation has significantly decreased fire activity and has allowed firefighters to make good progress toward securing line and keeping the fire from crossing Highway 53. 

El Malpais National Monument received significant precipitation yesterday with approximately 0.5” of rain falling in the area of the Encerrita Fire. Flooding was reported in the nearby town of Grants. The Encerrita Fire remains south and east of Highway 53.

The Encerrita Fire only gained 3 acres on Thursday due to higher humidity that followed a frontal passage. The 2282-acre lightning-caused fire is located in El Malpais National Monument, 15 miles south-southwest of Grants.

As forecasted, winds ahead of the frontal passage Wednesday night led to increased fire activity on the lightning-caused Encerrita Fire, located 15 miles south-southwest of Grants. As the fire grew northward, pushed by a strong south wind, firefighters were able to hold the fire south and east of Highway 53. Crews were assisted by the East Encerrito prescribed fire area, which reduced available fuels on 379 acres south of Highway 53 in April. The Encerrita Fire is now 2279 acres.

The Encerrita Fire was more active today due to gusty winds from the south resulting in the closure of Highway 53 south of Grants. The fire made a wind-driven run to the north that bumped the south side of the highway this afternoon. Fire is burning along the edge of the highway and those areas are also experiencing heavy smoke. Highway 53 is closed from mile markers 71 to 73 until further notice. The fire has not crossed the highway and there is no imminent threat to Grants or any other communities. 

Grants, NM —Additional crews arrived to the Encerrita Fire on Tuesday, bringing the total number of firefighters to 99 on the 1541-acre lightning-caused fire located in El Malpais National Monument, 15 miles south-southwest of Grants. Weather is expected to remain hot and dry today with increased winds over the fire ahead of a frontal passage that will bring precipitation to the region for the remainder of the week.

Encerrita Fire UpdateJune 18, 3 p.m.Additional crews arrived on Monday and Tuesday morning to assist local firefighters working on the Encerrita Fire currently burning on El Malpais National Monument. The lightning-caused fire was discovered on June 15 and is estimated to be approximately 1,300 acres as of Tuesday morning. The fire remains on NPS lands and does not pose an imminent threat to local communities.

Grants, NM —National Park Service staff discovered a lightning-caused fire burning on El Malpais National Monument lands on the afternoon of Saturday, June 15. The Encerrita Fire, reported by the Oso Lookout, is located approximately 15 miles south-southwest of Grants, NM.As of Monday morning, there were approximately 60 firefighters working on the incident. The fire is burning in Ponderosa pine forest with a grass and timber litter understory with some medium logging slash from logging operations that were conducted pre-WWII.