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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.

With another planned wind event late Wednesday evening, firefighters worked until 2 a.m. ensuring that the fire did not cross the highway and limiting fire spread onto neighboring jurisdictions. With the front’s passage, humidity levels increased leading to decreased fire activity. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecasted over the fire area today with the potential for overcast skies and significant rainfall over the coming days. The increase in humidity and rain will give firefighters an opportunity to establish containment lines on the west and north sides of the fire in the coming days.

After a brief closure of Highway 53 overnight on Tuesday and into Wednesday morning, the highway is now open in both directions. Road closures may be reestablished if smoke limits visibility or if fire operations are occurring close to the roadway. Motorists are urged to slow down on Highway 53 and be alert to keep firefighters and themselves safe. El Malpais would like to thank the fire departments in Cibola County, Cibola County County OEM, Cibola County Sheriff’s Office, and the New Mexico Department of Transportation for their assistance with road closures and public notifications during Wednesday’s fire activity.

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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