Single Publication

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.

With the continued forecast for rain, thunderstorms, and high humidity over the coming week, fire managers will be downsizing the number of firefighters and support staff assigned to the Encerrita Fire in the coming days. Some firefighters will remain assigned to the incident to ensure that the fire stays within established fire lines and confinement features while others will be released to other assignments or to return home. Firefighters will keep monitoring the weather for changing conditions.

While the fire remains zero percent contained, that number is not reflective of the amount of work that has gone into establishing containment features on the north and west sides of the fire. Due to the broken nature of the landscape where vegetation is growing in and among lava flows, establishing control features is difficult or impossible in many locations around the fire. For that reason, the containment percentage of the fire’s perimeter will remain well below 100% for the duration of the 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.

Additional updates on the Encerrita fire will be available on Facebook (@ElMalpaisNPS) and on Inciweb. Please contact the El Malpais Visitor Center at (505) 876-2783 or visit www.nps.gov/elma for additional information on closures in the monument.

www.nps.gov