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Crews continue to work the Mestenas Canyon Fire, which has grown to 350 acres with 0% containment. Outflow winds from nearby storms pushed two heads of the fire up canyon slopes onto Mestenas Mesa where crews are securing roads as potential containment lines.

The overall suppression strategy is to contain the fire using existing roads and natural features.

“It is too dangerous to send crews into the steep, snag-choked canyon, where the fire began,” Jicarilla District Ranger Jim Eaton. “We’re opting instead to set action points on the mesa where flatter ground makes it safer for crews to engage flames.”

Forecasted rain earlier this week has so far not materialized in a manner to slow or stop the fire’s steady spread when strong winds hit the area. Lower humidity levels, however, have mostly kept fire behavior minimal. 

There are no evacuations, but oil and gas infrastructure, archeological sites, dispersed camping sites and inholdings may be threatened if the fire continues to grow.

The lightning-caused Mestenas Canyon Fire was first reported July 11. It is in the canyon of the same name, about 14 miles southwest of Dulce, N.M., and two miles north of Highway 64, where smoke may cause limited visibility to drivers.

The public can keep updated on the fire by visiting InciWeb or calling a public information officer at 505-216-6793.