Single Publication

Winds and warm temperatures test the Indios Fire

Daily Update – Monday, June 3, 2024

Acres: 11,500                                                                                              

Start Date: May 19, 2024

Location: 7 miles north of the village of Coyote, NM                      

Personnel: 689

Completion: 59%                                                                                       

Fuels: Timber

Highlights: Increased winds and drier air caused the fire to spread through interior unburned pockets within the northern and southern areas of the fire perimeter. Despite these conditions, the overall acreage of the Indios Fire decreased from the previous day due to more accurate mapping of the incident, and firefighters increased completion of operational objectives to 59%.

Operations: Yesterday, crews continued to strengthen firelines by masticating and chipping vegetation along the northwest and western perimeters of the fire area. Masticating vegetation is a forest management tool that involves reducing the size of forest vegetation and downed material by grinding, shredding, chunking, or chopping it. Firefighters also continued to cut and pile downed trees and extinguish any burning material along the northwest and southern control lines. Firefighters used heavy equipment to grade roads along the northwest perimeter while other crews worked to connect Forest Road 77 into the natural rock bluffs along the southwestern border of the fire. Engines continued to patrol the Corrales Ranch to prevent fire spread toward the property. Firefighters completed surveys to inform the structure protection plans for residences south of the fire. Today, fire managers anticipate that the fire will continue to actively consume fuels in the interior pockets of the fire perimeter. As these pockets of unburned fuel become smaller, the chances of a spark being carried by surface winds and starting a new fire is expected to decrease. Crews will continue to monitor and reinforce firelines, and helicopters will be available to support firefighters on the ground if the need arises. 

Weather: Today’s weather will be similar to yesterday but with lighter winds and slightly warmer temperatures. These warmer, drier conditions will continue to extend burn periods later into the evening. An increased chance of showers and thunderstorms is anticipated later this week. 

Smoke: Smoke continues to impact surrounding communities. Smoke monitors have been installed in Coyote, Gallina, Cañones, the Monastery of Christ in the Desert, and the Abiquiu Dam. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautions. A smoke outlook report for the Indios Fire is available online at the links below. View an interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/. Learn more about smoke impacts at https://www.env.nm.gov/air-quality/fire-smoke-links/. 

Closures: The Santa Fe National Forest has issued an emergency area closure for the Indios Fire. The full closure order (No. 03-12-05-23-22) and map are available on Inciweb. Camping and water will be available at the Coyote Ranger Station for Continental Divide Trail hikers impacted by this closure. 

Safety: A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes uncrewed aircraft systems or drones. More information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground can be found at: https://uas.nifc.gov/. 

inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmsnf-indios-wildfire / nmfireinfo.com /

575-323-2290 / x.com/SantafeNF / facebook.com/santafeNF / 2024.indios@firenet.gov