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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.

On Friday, before the rain event, firefighters were able to take advantage of favorable weather conditions to continue building and improving line to the east and north where they were able to tie into lava fields, with little to no burnable vegetation. Firefighters have also been able to make excellent progress toward constructing line toward the Continental Divide Trail and Highway 53.

More rain is expected in the region today and through the weekend, which will aid firefighters working on the Encerrita Fire.

Closures remain in effect in the monument. The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) and Zuni-Acoma Trail are closed in El Malpais National Monument from Porter Ranch Rd off Hwy 53 to Hwy 117; a CDT bypass is in place between CDT miles 502.5 to 512.5; more information is available on the CDT website. Both the western Zuni-Acoma Trail parking lot and the eastern Acoma-Zuni Trail parking lot are included in the closure. Closures have been posted and the public is asked to avoid closed roads, trails, and parking lots. The El Calderon Trail remains open.

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