Single Publication

Bear Trap Fire – May 8th UPDATE

Magdalena Ranger District - San Mateo Mountains

Incident Command: New Mexico - Albuquerque Type 3 Team
Reported start date / time: May 1, 2022 – 1200
Cause: Undetermined.
Size: 5,619 acres
Location: Bear Trap Canyon, San Mateo Mountains, Magdalena Ranger District, Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands (NF & NGs). Socorro County, NM. See Map Attached.
Containment: 0%
Fuels: Pine, Pinyon-Juniper and Grass.
Fire behavior: The Bear Trap Fire is exhibiting active fire behavior with isolated torching.
Weather: Temperatures today will be in the mid-80s with humidity in the single digits for long durations, sunny and drought conditions. Southwest winds are 20-25 mph increasing to 25-30 in the afternoon with gusts as high as 45 mph. Tonight forecast: Clear skies with a low around 49, West wind 25-30 mph decreasing to 15-20 after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. Red Flag Warning in effect May 9th from 10 am until 10 pm and again May 9th from 9 am until 9 pm due to strong winds, several hours of single digit humidity, above average warmth and unstable atmosphere. https://www.weather.gov/.
Resources on scene: Firefighters from the USFS, BLM, BIA, NMF, County, local and private contractors are on scene with 10-Type 6 Engines, 6-Type 2 Handcrew, 2-Type 2 & 1-Type 3 Helicopters, Overhead, Air Tankers, Water Tenders, and Retardant Drops.
Strategy: The strategy for the Bear Trap Fire is full suppression.
Values at risk: At this time, the fire is not a threat to any communities, and there are no evacuations in effect.
Area Closure Order: An Area, Road and Trail Closure is in effect for the Bear Trap Fire per Order 03-0726 on May 3rd at 5:00 pm until Sept 1 or until rescinded, whichever occurs first. 03-0726 Closure Order
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions: On April 28th based on high fire danger and severe fire weather conditions, the Cibola NF & NGs implemented Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on the mountain districts to include the Magdalena Ranger District. Order 03-0724
Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public should stay away from Bear Trap Fire operations.
Drones pose a serious risk to firefighting and can cause air operations to cease. The public is reminded that “If you fly, we can’t!”
Smoke may be visible in the surrounding areas of Alamo, Datil, Magdalena, Socorro and San Antonio, NM. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website nmtracking.org. An interactive smoke map is available at https://fire.airnow.gov/, which allows you to zoom into areas to see the latest smoke conditions.