Grissom Fire Final Update

May 11, 2022
9:00 am 
 
Size: 1552 acres
Containment: 100%
Road Closures and Evacuations: None at this time
Structures lost: None at this time

The Grissom Fire showed little activity yesterday, TAMFS crews continued to patrol and mop up fire and monitor through the day, after no noticeable activity the fire was put at 100% containment status by the end of shift yesterday evening.

Grissom Fire Evening Update

May 9, 2022
10:00 pm 
 
Size: 1552 acres
Containment: 90%
Road Closures and Evacuations: None at this time
Structures lost: None at this time

The Grissom Fire showed little activity today, with fire lines completed around the fire, engines patrolled and mopped up hotspots mitigating the potential for increased fire activity and spotting across the lines. High temperatures today led to some activity in places, but those areas where address quickly and never became a problem for containment.
Crews will return tomorrow and will continue to patrol and mop up areas of concern. 

Grissom Fire Update

May 8, 2022
1:00 pm 
 
Size: 1200 acres
Containment: 30%
Road Closures and Evacuations: None at this time
Structures lost: None at this time

The Grissom Fire showed extreme fire behavior yesterday with single tree torching and crown runs, there are several structures in the area, but none have been damaged at this time. Air craft are supporting our ground resources with Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) drops and a type 1 helicopter performing strategic bucket drops. The activity on the Grissom fire is starting to pick up with the heat of the day, crews continue to work on containment lines and structure protection.

Smoke Stack Lightning Fire Update

May 4, 2022
10:00 pm 
 
Size: 14,898 acres
Containment: 95%
Road Closures and Evacuations: None at this time
Structures lost: 1 home, 1 outbuilding

The Smoke Stack Lightning Fire showed very little activity throughout the day, crews finished up tying in all the fire lines and cleaning up existing lines with motorgraders, engine crew worked to patrol and mop up any hot spots. All resources have moved off the fire for tonight and will return in the morning to patrol fire.

Smoke Stack Lightning Fire Update

May 3, 2022
10:00 pm 
 
Size: 14,000 acres
Containment: 80%
Road Closures and Evacuations: None at this time
Structures lost: 1 home, 1 outbuilding

The Smoke Stack Lightning Fire was very active through the night and into the morning of May 3rd, Crews worked to contain the fire throughout the night and all day the following day, favorable weather conditions allowed crews to make good progress, putting in fire line around the fire with only a few areas to close up in the morning. High RH values and low winds tonight will help with recovery, one home and associated outbuilding were confirmed lost as crews patrolled the fire.

Forest Closures & Fire Restrictions Lifted on Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands

Effective Friday June 24th

Order Number 03-0730/0731

Bear Trap Fire Final Update May 30, 2022  

Acres: 38,225 acres

Containment: 82%

Cause: Undetermined

Total Personnel: 273

Start Date: May 1, 2022

Location: San Mateo Mountains, Magdalena Ranger District, Socorro County, NM

Fuels: Pine, Pinyon-Juniper and Grass 

Highlights: Fire lines continued to hold strong despite having the highest wind speeds in the last 11 days, gusting at 35 mph. The fire is 82 percent contained and firefighters will continue mopping up and extinguishing smoldering stumps while also monitoring any potential hot spots. Firefighters will be available for initial attack if any pop-ups or new starts occur.  This will be the final update on the Bear Trap Fire from California Incident Management Team 10 as command of the fire will be transitioned back to the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands.

Operations: On the southeastern portion of the Bear Trap Fire, crews continue suppression efforts and have removed all excess equipment. Chipping operations will continue through the next few days on the southwestern portion of the fire. There is good mop up around the perimeter of the fire with no smokes or lingering hot spots near the line. Suppression repair is ongoing throughout all areas of the fire. For further information, the daily operational briefing can be found on the Cibola National Forest Facebook page. 

Weather: Another Red Flag Warning is in effect today. Temperatures will be a few degrees cooler, in the mid 70s with winds gusting by late morning at 25 mph out of the west/southwest. Forecasts call for low humidity bottoming out around 6 to 8 percent. Winds will begin to relax Tuesday gusting in the 20s. Visitors to the area are still encouraged to monitor the weather and be cautious during this critical fire situation.
 
Closures and Restrictions: The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands (NF & NGs) have issued a fire area, road and trail closure (No. 03-0728) to protect public health and safety during fire operations on the Bear Trap Fire. This closure order expands the previous closure area to provide for continued firefighter safety during wildland fire suppression and emergency operations. This order supersedes the previous order No. 03-0726. Based on high fire danger and severe fire weather conditions, the Cibola NF & NGs have also implemented Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on the Magdalena Ranger District (No. 03-0724). Both closure orders and maps are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/cibola/alerts-notices. 

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public always are the first priority. Members of the public should stay away from Bear Trap Fire operations. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes unmanned aircraft, or drones. More information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground can be found at https://www.nifc.gov/drones/. 

Smoke: Smoke from the Bear Trap Fire and other nearby fires might be visible in the areas of Alamo, Datil, Magdalena, Socorro, Winston, 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 at the New Mexico Department of Health Environmental Public Health Tracking website: nmtracking.org. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

Fire updates are posted on InciWeb, Cibola NF & NGs website, Facebook and Twitter pages, the NM Fire Information website. Email: 2022.beartrap@firenet.gov • Phone: (928) 362-2906 • Office Hours: 8 AM – 8 PM

Acres: 38,225 acres  
Containment: 75% 
Cause: Undetermined 
Total Personnel: 357  
 
Start Date: May 1, 2022 
Location: San Mateo Mountains, Magdalena Ranger District, Socorro County, NM 
Fuels: Pine, Pinyon-Juniper and Grass Highlights: Fire lines were tested by high winds Saturday and held up well as more than three-quarters of the fire now is considered contained. Crews continue to find and extinguish smoldering hot spots in the southwest portion of the fire. Firefighters will remain vigilant through the Red Flag Warnings today and Monday and will continue to be available for initial attack if any new fires start in the area.  

Operations: As mop up and patrol operations meet with continued success in the southwest part of the fire, more effort is being focused on suppression repair and a plan for the return of fire management to the Cibola National Forest. Work including chipping cut trees, dozer line rehabilitation and establishing erosion control, now are almost complete in the Bear Trap Canyon area and is shifting to address the south and southwest portions of the fire where operations can be accomplished safely. A daily operational briefing video explaining details of the Bear Trap Fire operations can be viewed on the Cibola National Forest Facebook page.  

Weather: Weather throughout the holiday weekend will be hot, dry and windy. The National Weather Service has issued Red Flag Warnings for today and a Fire Weather Watch for Monday because of high temperatures, strong winds and very low humidities. Residents and visitors to the area are encouraged to continue to consider the weather and current fire situation in the state as you enjoy the weekend. 

Closures and Restrictions: The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands (NF & NGs) have issued a fire area, road and trail closure (No. 03-0728) to protect public health and safety during fire operations on the Bear Trap Fire. This closure order expands the previous closure area to provide for continued firefighter safety during wildland fire suppression and emergency operations. This order supersedes the previous order No. 03-0726. Based on high fire danger and severe fire weather conditions, the Cibola NF & NGs have also implemented Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on the Magdalena Ranger District (No. 03-0724). Both closure orders and maps are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/cibola/alerts-notices.    

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public always are the first priority. Members of the public should stay away from Bear Trap Fire operations. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes unmanned aircraft, or drones. More information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground can be found at https://www.nifc.gov/drones/.    

Smoke: Smoke from the Bear Trap Fire and other nearby fires might be visible in the areas of Alamo, Datil, Magdalena, Socorro, Winston, 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 at the New Mexico Department of Health Environmental Public Health Tracking website: nmtracking.org. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.   

Fire updates are posted on InciWeb, Cibola NF & NGs website, Facebook and Twitter pages, the NM Fire Information website. 
Email: 2022.beartrap@firenet.gov • Phone: (928) 362-2906 • Office Hours: 8 AM – 8 PM 

Acres: 38,225 acres
 
Containment: 63%

Cause: Undetermined

Total Personnel: 395

Start Date: May 1, 2022

Location: San Mateo Mountains, Magdalena Ranger District, Socorro County, NM

Fuels: Pine, Pinyon-Juniper and Grass 

Highlights: All areas of the fire are now in mop up, patrol or suppression repair status. This means that after almost a month, fire suppression work is winding down and the work of fire recovery has begun. Crews will remain vigilant through the Red Flag Warning days over the holiday weekend and will continue to be available for initial attack if any new fires start in the area. A daily operational briefing video explaining details of the Bear Trap Fire operations can be viewed on the Cibola National Forest Facebook page.  

Operations: Patrol and mop up operations will continue throughout the day today on the southwest part of the fire as crews work inward to extinguish fuel that is still burning. All other areas have pivoted to focus more on suppression repair. Efforts including chipping of cut trees, dozer line rehabilitation and establishing erosion control will increase under the guidance of Resource Advisors. 

Weather: The National Weather Service has issued Red Flag Warnings for today and Sunday and a Fire Weather Watch for Monday because of high temperatures, strong winds and very low humidities. We encourage everyone to be extremely careful this holiday weekend to reduce the possibility of new fire starts. Firefighting resources in the area are already stretched thin and the dangerous weather means any new fires could be very challenging to contain.  

Closures and Restrictions: The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands (NF & NGs) have issued a fire area, road and trail closure (No. 03-0728) to protect public health and safety during fire operations on the Bear Trap Fire. This closure order expands the previous closure area to provide for continued firefighter safety during wildland fire suppression and emergency operations. This order supersedes the previous order No. 03-0726. Based on high fire danger and severe fire weather conditions, the Cibola NF & NGs have also implemented Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on the Magdalena Ranger District (No. 03-0724). Both closure orders and maps are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/cibola/alerts-notices.  

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public always are the first priority. Members of the public should stay away from Bear Trap Fire operations. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes unmanned aircraft, or drones. More information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground can be found at https://www.nifc.gov/drones/.  

Smoke: Smoke from the Bear Trap Fire and other nearby fires might be visible in the areas of Alamo, Datil, Magdalena, Socorro, Winston, 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 at the New Mexico Department of Health Environmental Public Health Tracking website: nmtracking.org. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.  

 Acres: 38,091 acres
 Containment: 41%
 Cause: Undetermined
 Total Personnel: 428