State of New Mexico Energy, Mineral and Natural Resources Department2022-01Smoking, Fireworks, Campfire, And Open Fire Restrictions for New MexicoDue to abnormally warm temperatures, low humidity, high winds, and the abundance of dry fine fuels, fire danger throughout much of New Mexico is high. Fire incidents for all wildland fire agencies are increasing daily. Pursuant to NMSA, Section 68-2-16, and other sections of the Forest Conservation Act, NMSA 1978, Section 68-2-25, and 19.20.3 NMAC; Restrictions for Fire Protection, the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, Forestry Division, State Forester, has placed the following restrictions on non-municipal, non-federal, and non-tribal lands statewide.
The full release is available below.

Strong winds cause extreme weather behavior

Type 2 Incident Management Team taking command of Cooks Peak Fire

Acres: 28,217 acres - Infrared Flight last night; Location: North of Ocate. NM, approximately 46 miles north of Las Vegas, NM; Containment: 0%; Start Date: Sunday, April 17, 2022; Cause: Unknown, under investigation; Fuels: ponderosa pine, oak brush and grass

Evacuations:  As of 8:00 am, April 22, 2022, the Mora and Colfax Counties have announced updated evacuation status for the following communities: Colfax County - GO- Sweetwater, Rayado, and Sunnyside – evacuate now!  SET –Miami, Philmont Scout Ranch to the headquarters, and Cimarron.  Residents in Colfax County should sign up now for Code Red. This system notifies residents of evacuation status. For notifications, sign up on the Colfax County website: http://www.co.colfax.nm.us/government/emergency_management.php  

Mora County – GO:  east of County Road 009 and north of NM Highway 120.  Ready:  west of County Road 009 and north of Highway 120.  These changes have occurred because of fire movement overnight and the predicted weather and extreme fire behavior expected today. Residents can evacuate livestock to the Colfax County Fairgrounds.  Memorial Middle School in Las Vegas, Wagon Mound Public Schools, and Mora Schools are available for evacuees. The Mora and Colfax County Sheriff’s Offices are using the Ready! Set! Go! program for evacuation status that provides information on evacuation and evacuation preparation: Ready!: Be Ready! for potential evacuations. Set!: Be Set! to evacuate at a moment’s notice Go!: Evacuate now. Leave immediately. The Cooks Peak Fire is moving rapidly being driven by high winds.  Evacuation status can change rapidly, and there may not be sufficient time to prepare to evacuate. 
 
Overview: The Southwest Incident Management Team 5, Incident Commander Mark Bernal, took command of the Cooks Peak Fire at 6am on Friday, April 22, 2022. 
 
Fire Update: Extreme fire behavior with spotting and group tree torching was observed on the Cooks Peak Fire Thursday, and winds are expected to increase Friday, allowing the fire to grow rapidly in multiple directions.  Air tankers and helicopters are available and were used to support firefighting efforts on the ground Thursday, but winds may hamper their ability to fly on Friday.  Additional firefighters and equipment are being ordered.

Weather: A Red Flag Warning has been issued from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.  Today will be a critical fire weather day, with high winds. Winds are expected to reach gusts of up to 65 mph, and be erratic, causing concerns for firefighter and public safety.  

Highway Closures: The Cooks Peak Fire has closed County Road 009 and a portion of NM120, from milepost 14-26, and at the junction of highway 442 and 120. Motorists are advised to delay travel or to seek alternate routes.  Visit https://nmroads.com/mapIndex.html? for additional information.

As of 8:00 am, April 22, 2022, the Mora and Colfax Counties have announced updated evacuation status for the following communities:

Colfax County - GO- Sweetwater, Rayado, and Sunnyside – evacuate now!  SET –Miami, Philmont Scout Ranch to the headquarters, and Cimarron.  Residents in Colfax County should sign up now for Code Red. This system notifies residents of evacuation status. For notifications, sign up on the Colfax County website: http://www.co.colfax.nm.us/government/emergency_management.php 

Mora County – GO:  east of County Road 009 and north of NM Highway 120.  Ready:  west of County Road 009 and north of Highway 120.  These changes have occurred because of fire movement overnight and the predicted weather and extreme fire behavior expected today. Residents can evacuate livestock to the Colfax County Fairgrounds.  Memorial Middle School in Las Vegas, Wagon Mound Public Schools, and Mora Schools are available for evacuees. The Mora and Colfax County Sheriff’s Offices are using the Ready! Set! Go! program for evacuation status that provides information on evacuation and evacuation preparation: Ready!: Be Ready! for potential evacuations. Set!: Be Set! to evacuate at a moment’s notice Go!: Evacuate now. Leave immediately. The Cooks Peak Fire is moving rapidly being driven by high winds.  Evacuation status can change rapidly, and there may not be sufficient time to prepare to evacuate.

As of 6:00 p.m., the evacuation status for the Colfax County communities of for Rayado, Sunny Side, Miami, Sweet Water, and the Philmont Scout Ranch to the headquarters is moved to Set. The town of Cimarron moves to Ready! status. The status upgrades are necessary due to current fire behavior and predicted weather, verified by fire models that show significant potential for fire growth to the north. Residents should consider evacuating livestock to the Colfax County Fairgrounds. Residents in Colfax County should sign up now for Code Red. This system notifies residents of evacuation status. For notifications, sign up on the Colfax County website: http://www.co.colfax.nm.us/government/emergency_management.php. 

Today is an Extreme Critical Fire Weather Watch
Acres: 412
Cause: Downed power lines
Containment: 84%
Start Date: April 12, 2022
Location/Origin: Nogal Canyon, west of Capitan
Fuels: Ponderosa pine, pinon and juniper, grasses
Structures burned: 6 primary, 8 outbuildings
Fatalities/Injuries: None 
Highlights: This will be the FINAL written update for Nogal Canyon Fires. Both the Nogal Canyon and McBride Fires were transferred to a Type 4 Command structure on April 21st at 7:00 am.
Safety: Today is an Extremely Critical Fire Weather Day. There are red flag warnings in effect. Lincoln County, the Village of Ruidoso, Otero County and the Lincoln National Forest are ALL under fire restrictions or burn bans. Please do not burn debris, weld or have campfires on red flag warning days.
Operations: Minimal fire activity was observed across the fire as crews continued to patrol and monitor the fire. An excavator was used alongside ground crews to support suppression repair work in the Eagle Creek area. Small pockets of smoldering debris will continue to produce smoke over the coming days and weeks. This is very common after a fire. As the fire continues to release resources, a group remains available for initial attack for any new fire starts.
After the Fire: Citizens whose property sustained damage in either fire and need paperwork for insurance claims can contact the Ruidoso Community Development Office at 575-258-6999.

Flooding and other adverse effects are common after a fire. A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team has begun assessments for the McBride and Nogal Canyon Fires. BAER teams evaluate post-fire conditions and determine the potential for increased flooding, mudslides, and rockslides. The team consist of hydrologists, geologists, soil scientists, road engineers, botanists, biologists, and archeologists from both federal and state agencies. Efforts are focused on the protection of human life and safety, property, and critical cultural and natural resource values. The BAER assessment will take approximately two weeks to complete their burned area assessment.

Weather: Temperatures in the mid-70s and strong southwest winds are expected at 40 mph with gusts 60-70 mph

 Acres: 412
 Cause: Downed power lines
 Containment: 77%
 Start Date: April 12, 2022
 Personnel: 109
 Location/Origin: Nogal Canyon, west of Capitan
 Fuels: Ponderosa pine, pinon and juniper, grasses
 Structures burned: 6 primary, 8 outbuildings   

Highlights: This will be the FINAL written update for the Nogal Canyon Fire. The Southwest Area Incident Management Team 2 (SWAIMT2) will transition the fire to a Type 4 Command structure tomorrow, April 21st at 7:00 am. Once the fire transitions, updates will be made to the Facebook page and InciWeb as notable events occur. The current phone numbers and email address no longer will be monitored. As of Thursday morning, members of the public should call 575-258-6900 and media outlets call 505-681-2837.      

Operations: Resources will continue to patrol and monitor the fire.  Mop up operations are taking place around the fire perimeter and crews are cooling hotspots if located.

After the Fire: A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team has been ordered to make assessments for the McBride and Nogal Canyon Fires. BAER teams conduct rapid assessments that evaluate post-fire conditions and determine the potential for increased flooding, sediment flows, and rockslides. The team consists of many disciplines including hydrologists, geologists, soil scientists, road engineers, botanists, biologists, and archeologists from both federal and state agencies. BAER teams ultimately produce an assessment that describes post-fire conditions along with recommended emergency stabilization measures and actions. Efforts are focused on the protection of human life and safety, property, and critical cultural and natural resource values. The BAER assessment team will begin work on Friday, April 22nd and anticipates that it will take approximately two weeks to complete their burned area assessment.

Evacuations: All evacuations have been lifted. Only residents will be permitted entry to access their homes. Hunters/Campers will not be allowed in the area until further notice.

Restrictions/Closures: Nogal Canyon remains closed to the public beyond 399 Canyon Rd at the forest boundary for both public and firefighter safety. Please respect the closure. With firefighters and utility companies working within the repopulated area, anyone driving in the area is asked to reduce their speed and turn on headlights for visibility.

The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) has been lifted as of 8:00 pm on Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Weather: Slightly stronger southwest winds are expected at 20 mph with gusts 35-40 mph. For this combination of critical conditions, a Red Flag Warning is in place from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Fire Information: Public Phone Line 505-356-2636   Media Phone Line 505-445-8278  Phone Lines open 8am-8pm           

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8062/

NM Fire Information: https://nmfireinfo.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NogalCanyonFire2022

 Acres: 412
 Cause: Downed power lines
 Containment: 70%
 Start Date: April 12, 2022
 Personnel: 117 
 Location/Origin: Nogal Canyon, west of Capitan
 Fuels: Ponderosa pine, pinon and juniper, grasses
 Structures burned: 6 primary, 8 outbuildings   

Highlights: Minimal fire activity and completed work has increased containment to 70%.  With objectives continuing to be met, the Southwest Area Incident Management Team 2 (SWAIMT2) will begin to transition the fire to a Type 4 Command structure on Thursday morning at 7:00 am.  The SWAIMT2 will provide a final written update on Wednesday April 20th.

Operations:  Cold trailing continues in order to secure the fire perimeter where it makes sense and can be done safely given the steep, rugged terrain. Mop-up tactics and monitoring for hot spots is ongoing around private property and in areas where utility services are present.  Expect to see continued presence by the power company while they make repairs and re-energize power lines.  Yesterday, the final evacuated residents were able to return to their homes located within the fire perimeter. While aircraft was not needed for suppression actions yesterday, they remain available to provide support should the need arise.

Crews have begun to implement the suppression repair plan for the fire area. Fire suppression repair is a series of immediate post-fire actions taken to repair damages and minimize potential soil erosion and impacts resulting from fire suppression activities. This work usually begins before the fire is contained and before the demobilization of an Incident Management Team. This work repairs the hand and dozer fire lines, roads, trails, staging areas, safety zones and drop points used during fire suppression effort.

Evacuations: All evacuations have been lifted. Only residents will be permitted entry to access their homes. Hunters/Campers will not be allowed in the area until further notice.

Restrictions/Closures: Nogal Canyon remains closed to the public beyond 399 Canyon Rd at the forest boundary for both public and firefighter safety. Please respect the closure. With firefighters and utility companies working within the repopulated area, anyone driving in the area is asked to reduce their speed and turn on headlights for visibility.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place: Wildfires are a NO Drone Zone. Flying a drone (UAS – Unmanned Aerial System) within a TFR is illegal and impedes fire suppression efforts. Report drones to local law enforcement. If You Fly, We Can’t!

Weather: Dry, southwest winds are expected between 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for Wednesday.

Smoke: Members of the public in the surrounding area may see smoke as fire moves through unburned vegetation.

Fire Information: Public Phone Line 505-356-2636   Media Phone Line 505-445-8278  Phone Lines open 8am-8pm           

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8062/

NM Fire Information: https://nmfireinfo.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NogalCanyonFire2022

Incendio Cañón Nogal – Lunes 18 de April 2022

Actualizacion Diaria

McBride Fire – Monday, April 18, 2022 Daily Update

Acres: 6,159
Cause: Under investigation
Containment: 80%
Start Date: April 12, 2022
Location: Gavilan Canyon within the Village of Ruidoso
Fuels: Timber, brush, grasses
Structures burned: 207 primary structures, multiple outbuildings
Personnel: 432                                                                                                 
Fatalities: 2 citizens

Highlights: With all evacuations lifted, Gavilan Canyon Road has re-opened. This will support all school bus routes once school resumes on Tuesday, April 19th.

Operations: The majority of work left to be completed is along the eastern fire’s edge. However, firefighters will have a presence in the communities to the west to address hotspots and mitigate hazard trees. Yesterday, crews were able to complete a full assessment with hotshot crews walking the entire perimeter.  A reconnaissance flight was conducted to check the fire’s edge for hotspots.  Observed fire activity was minimal with a few smoke columns being produced within the interior of the fire as winds increased throughout the day. Today, firefighters are working to increase the depth of mop up operations from the fire’s edge, working towards the interior to extinguish any remaining pockets of heat.  Line construction is ongoing along the eastern, un-contained fire perimeter to tie multiple pieces of line together. This successful operation supported the containment increase to 80% yesterday evening.

With the increased containment and objectives being met across the fire area, the Incident Management Team will begin to release resources. This process is known as right-sizing the organization and makes resources available to assist with fires across the southwest. A group of firefighters remain available to assist with initial attack should a new fire start in the surrounding area. Helicopters are available to assist ground crews with water bucket drops.

Evacuations: All evacuations have been lifted as of 10:00 am on Sunday, April 17th. Crews remained onsite overnight and within the repopulated communities.

Safety: If you are not a resident, please stay out of active fire areas to allow crews safe access to the fire and surrounding area regardless of the open status if you are not a resident. There is a heavy presence of both firefighters and the utility companies working along Gavilan Canyon Road and the repopulated communities.  This work will continue throughout the week.  If you need to travel through the area, please reduce your speed and turn on your headlights to ensure both your safety and that of our crews working.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low to mid 70s with winds out of the south, southeast. Expect winds 15-20 mph and gusts up to 30 mph. There is a low probability of thunderstorms developing near the fire area.

Restrictions/Closures: Gavilan Canyon Road has reopened. Please respect any restrictions and closures in place. Violations impede firefighter response and delay suppression activities.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place: Wildfires are a NO Drone Zone. Flying recreational and media drones within a TFR is illegal and impedes fire suppression efforts. Report drones to local law enforcement. If You Fly, We Can’t!

Fire Information: Public 505-356-2636   Media 505-445-8278 

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8061/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/McBrideFire2022/

NM Fire Information: https://nmfireinfo.com/

Email: 2022.mcbride@firenet.gov