Highlights: The Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4 hosted a community meeting last night in the Mora High School Lecture Hall. Local residents attended in-person at the high school, while over 80 participants viewed the live video on Facebook. A full recording of the meeting is now available at https://facebook.com/santafeNF/. No account is required to view the video.

Operations: The incident management team continues to observe and assess the fire activity on the Rincon Fire. The New Mexico State Forestry Division and private landowners have completed a considerable amount of work to reduce the risk of fire spread across their lands. By proactively treating hazardous fuels across this landscape, these landowners have provided defensible space that firefighters can use to strategically plan for long-term containment of the fire. The Team has been focusing their efforts on maintaining these relationships and connecting with local landowners to gain valuable information to support their management strategies.

Weather: A few storms will move into the area late in the afternoon Friday and Saturday, with possible minimal rain falling across the fire. Temperatures should range anywhere from mid 70s at high elevation to upper 80s at lower elevation, prior to storms moving across the area. These storms may bring gusty and erratic outflow winds, with west to northwest winds setting up on Sunday into next week. Temperatures could be 10 degrees above normal and breezy conditions are expected Sunday and Monday.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public is the first priority. Members of the public are urged to stay away from the vicinity of the Rincon Fire. Backpackers planning to enter the Pecos Wilderness are advised to change their plans.

Restrictions: Due to ongoing drought and high fire danger, the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) is implementing Stage 1 fire restrictions forest-wide with an order that took effect on Thursday, June 17. The west side of the Forest has been in Stage 1 fire restrictions since May 24. In addition, a Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the area, which includes unmanned aircraft, or drones.

Closures: The Santa Fe National Forest has issued a closure order to protect public health and safety from June 16 through December 31, 2021, unless rescinded earlier. The closure order prohibits members of the public from entering the restricted area, including all Forest Service lands, roads and trails on the eastern side of the Pecos Wilderness within an area roughly defined by Jacks Creek Trail #257 and Beatty’s Trail #25 on the west to Skyline Trail #251 on the north to the Pecos Wilderness boundary on the east to Lone Pine Mesa Trail # 214, El Porvenir Trail #247 and Skyline Trail #251 on the south, then heading north to Iron Gate Trailhead and Jacks Creek Trailhead.

Smoke: Smoke from the Rincon Fire is visible within a 100-mile radius of the fire. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your location to see the latest smoke information. 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 online at the New Mexico Department of Health Environmental Public Health Tracking website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

Rincon Fire Information will be posted on Inciweb, SFNF Facebook and Twitter, SFNF website, and the New Mexico Fire Information website. If residents are interested in learning more about disaster preparation, please visit https://www.wildlandfirersg.org/ to read about the “Ready Set Go” program.

Email: 2021.rincon@firenet.gov •  Phone: (505) 445-8278 • Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

 The Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4 is hosting a community meeting Thursday, June 17, at 8:00 PM at the Mora High School Lecture Hall, 10 Ranger Rd. The public is encouraged to join in-person or virtually during the livestream here at https://facebook.com/santafeNF/

Daily Video update is now available on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page. Update is available in both English and Spanish.

Highlights: The Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4 will host a community meeting today, Thursday, June 17, at 8:00 PM at the Mora High School Lecture Hall, 10 Ranger Rd. The public is encouraged to join in-person or virtually during the livestream at https://facebook.com/santafeNF/.

Operations: On Wednesday, the incident management team continued to assess the Rincon Fire and prepare defenses on the eastern edge of the Santa Fe National Forest. The Team has also been focusing on building relationships and connecting with local landowners who are most affected by the nearby fire. These partnerships between the Team, the Forest and the local community will be essential for the success of the Rincon Fire and for wildland fires that occur in the future.  After several lightning strikes in the area, a new fire start was detected on Grass Mountain just south of the Rincon Fire. A helitack crew and helicopter used buckets to drop water and extinguish the flames, containing the spread at 1/10th of an acre.

Weather: Showers and thunderstorms developed west and north of the fire on Wednesday, passing to the southwest through mid-afternoon. A few storms moved into the area late in the afternoon, but minimal rain fell across the fire. Temperatures ranged anywhere from mid 70s at high elevation to upper 80s at lower elevation, prior to storms moving across the area.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public is the first priority. Members of the public are urged to stay away from the vicinity of the Rincon Fire. Backpackers planning to enter the Pecos Wilderness are advised to change their plans.

Restrictions/Closures: Due to ongoing drought and high fire danger, the Santa Fe National Forest is implementing Stage 1 fire restrictions forest-wide with a new order that takes effect at 8:00 AM on Thursday, June 17. The west side of the Forest has been in Stage 1 fire restrictions since May 24. In addition, a Temporary Flight Restriction remains in place over the area, which includes unmanned aircraft, or drones. The Santa Fe National Forest has issued a closure order to protect public health and safety from June 16 through December 31, 2021, unless rescinded earlier. The closure order prohibits members of the public from entering the restricted area, including all Forest Service lands, roads and trails on the eastern side of the Pecos Wilderness within an area roughly defined by Jacks Creek Trail #257 and Beatty’s Trail #25 on the west to Skyline Trail #251 on the north to the Pecos Wilderness boundary on the east to Lone Pine Mesa Trail # 214, El Porvenir Trail #247 and Skyline Trail #251 on the south, then heading north to Iron Gate Trailhead and Jacks Creek Trailhead.

Smoke: Smoke from the Rincon Fire is visible within a 100-mile radius of the fire. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your location to see the latest smoke information. 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 online at the New Mexico Department of Health Environmental Public Health Tracking website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

Community Meeting Details: A Facebook account is not required to view the video. If a pop-up box appears when you first navigate to the link, you can use the scroll bar on the right to scroll down to the view and/or click “not now” to minimize the login pop-up. We will monitor online Facebook questions during the meeting, or you can email us your questions in advance at 2021.rincon@firenet.gov. A recording will be posted following the meeting.  

Fire updates will be posted on Inciweb, SFNF Facebook and Twitter, SFNF website, and New Mexico Fire Information website

Email: 2021.rincon@firenet.gov •  Phone: (505) 445-8278 • Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Daily Video update is now available on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page. Update is available in both English and Spanish.

SANTA FE, NM – June 16, 2021 – Due to ongoing drought and high fire danger, the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) is implementing Stage 1 fire restrictions forest-wide with a new order that takes effect at 8 a.m. Thursday, June 17. The west side of the forest has been in Stage 1 fire restrictions since May 24.
 
 Stage 1 fire restrictions are a proactive way to reduce the very real risk of human-caused wildfire, protect natural and cultural resources, and enhance public and firefighter safety. Forest managers use several criteria to determine when to implement restrictions, including current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels and available firefighting resources. Firefighters are currently battling the lightning-caused Rincon Fire in the Pecos Wilderness.
 
Under Stage 1 restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal grills, and coal and wood stoves are allowed only in developed campsites or picnic areas with permanent fire rings or grills built and maintained by the Forest Service. Campfires are prohibited at all dispersed camping sites on the west side of the forest.
 
The new closure order also prohibits welding, using an acetylene torch or operating any torch with an open flame within the boundaries of the Santa Fe National Forest.Stoves, grills, lanterns and heaters fueled by propane or other liquified petroleum fuels may be used.
The Forest Service recommends that they meet manufacturer’s safety specifications and have on/off switches. Propane devices should be used in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that has been cleared of flammable materials.
 
Smoking is allowed only in enclosed vehicles or buildings, at developed recreation sites or while standing in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that has been cleared of all flammable material. Fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices are always prohibited on national forests.
 
The SFNF’s developed campgrounds are open for the season. Some require reservations through www.recreation.gov but most are first come/first served. Although Stage 1 restrictions allow campfires in developed campgrounds, visitors are asked to use extreme caution and follow campfire safety procedures.
 
Never leave a campsite until the fire is completely extinguished and cold to the touch.Forest visitors are asked to use extreme caution when fire restrictions are in place.

Violations are punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations and/or by imprisonment for not more than six months. Fire prevention and law enforcement will be patrolling, and anyone who violates Stage 1 restrictions will be ticketed.
 
The closure order that places the SFNF under Stage 1 fire restrictions is posted on the SFNF website and is available at all SFNF offices. All current closure orders are posted on the Alerts and Notices page of the website.

  

Highlights: The Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4 continues to assess the fire situation and develop a strategy to mitigate the effects of the Rincon Fire on valuable resources and local communities. A community meeting will take place on Thursday, June 17, at 8:00 PM at the Mora High School Lecture Hall, 10 Ranger Rd. The public is encouraged to join in-person or virtually during the livestream at https://facebook.com/santafeNF/.

 

Operations: On Tuesday, the incident management team continued to assess weather, terrain, and fire behavior to determine the best path forward on the Rincon Fire. Although scattered showers were present throughout the day, winds and standing dead trees present the potential for extreme fire activity. For these reasons, the team is planning multiple contingencies to make the best decision possible in any situation. The team is currently assessing how best to build defenses along the perimeter to the east of the fire where private land borders the Santa Fe National Forest.

 

Weather: A storm system to the north and east will produce low-level winds from the south to southeast, increasing moisture over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Weather for the next week will remain mostly consistent, bringing more moisture and winds. Cloud cover will continue through the weekend when it is expected to clear up, followed by increasingly dry conditions.

 

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public is the first priority. Members of the public are urged to stay away from the vicinity of the Rincon Fire. Backpackers planning to enter the Pecos Wilderness are advised to change their plans.

 

Restrictions/Closures: The Santa Fe National Forest has issued a closure order to protect public health and safety during fire operations on the Rincon Fire. The order will be in effect from June 16 through December 31, 2021, unless rescinded earlier. The closure order prohibits members of the public from entering the restricted area, including all Forest Service lands, roads and trails on the eastern side of the Pecos Wilderness within an area roughly defined by Jacks Creek Trail #257 and Beatty’s Trail #25 on the west to Skyline Trail #251 on the north to the Pecos Wilderness boundary on the east to Lone Pine Mesa Trail # 214, El Porvenir Trail #247 and Skyline Trail #251 on the south, then heading north to Iron Gate Trailhead and Jacks Creek Trailhead. In addition, a Temporary Flight Restriction remains in place over the area, which includes unmanned aircraft, or drones. Unauthorized use of drones in a wildfire area endangers the lives of pilots and firefighters. Never fly an unmanned aircraft over or near a wildfire. See www.nifc.gov/drones for additional information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground.

 

Smoke: Smoke from the Rincon Fire is visible within a 100-mile radius of the fire. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into the Santa Fe area to see the latest smoke information. 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 online at the New Mexico Department of Health Environmental Public Health Tracking website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

 

Community Meeting Details: A Facebook account is not required to view the video. If a pop-up box appears when you first navigate to the link, you can use the scroll bar on the right to scroll down to the view and/or click “not now” to minimize the login pop-up. We will monitor online Facebook questions during the meeting, or you can email us your questions in advance at 2021.rincon@firenet.gov. A recording will be posted following the meeting.

 SANTA FE, NM – June 15, 2021 – The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) today issued a closure order to protect public health and safety during fire operations on the Rincon Fire. The order will be in effect from 6 a.m. tomorrow, June 16, through Dec. 31, 2021, unless rescinded earlier.

The lightning-caused Rincon Fire was reported on June 11 roughly 2 miles east of Hamilton Mesa and 6 miles northwest of the village of Upper Rociada in the Pecos Wilderness on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District. The Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4, led by Incident Commander Carl Schwope, assumed command of the Rincon Fire today. Updates on fire operations are posted on the SFNF website, www.nmfireinfo.com and Inciweb.

The closure order prohibits members of the public from entering the restricted area, including all Forest Service lands, roads and trails, on the eastern side of the Pecos Wilderness within an area roughly defined by Jacks Creek Trail #257 and Beatty’s Trail #25 on the west to Skyline Trail #251 on the north to the Pecos Wilderness boundary on the east to Lone Pine Mesa Trail # 214, El Porvenir Trail #247 and Skyline Trail #251 on the south, then heading north to Iron Gate Trailhead and Jacks Creek Trailhead.

Although the western side of the Pecos Wilderness is not included in the closure, fire behavior can be unpredictable, and fire managers are asking the public to exercise caution and steer clear of all areas that could be impacted by the Rincon Fire.

Federal, state and local officers, firefighters and members of an organized rescue team, and any others authorized by Forest Service permit are exempt from the closure order.

Violation of the closure order is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, imprisonment of not more than six months, or both.

The closure order and map are posted on the SFNF website and copies are available at SFNF headquarters and the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District Offices.  All current closure orders are posted on the Alerts and Notices page of the website.

 Daily Video update is now available on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page. Update is available in both English and Spanish.

Highlights: The Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4, led by Incident Commander Carl Schwope, assumed command of the Rincon Fire this morning, Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 6:00 AM. A Type 2 Incident Management Team brings additional resources and management capabilities to manage the increasingly complex fire.

 

Operations: On Monday, fire managers from the incoming team completed reconnaissance flights over the fire area to increase their awareness and help better inform their plan moving forward. A 10-person crew successfully completed a mission to protect Beatty’s Cabin, along with two other Forest Service administrative sites. The crew used protective layers of aluminum foil and insulation to “wrap” these important structures to protect against radiant heat and burning embers, if the fire moves in their direction. As the new team takes command of the fire suppression efforts, fire managers will develop strategies to contain the fire within the wilderness boundary. Firefighters will be challenged by steep terrain, limited access, and large expanses of dead and dying trees weakened by insect infestations. Fire managers will direct special attention to protecting the many valuable resources in the area, including multiple watersheds, endangered species and their habitat, and cultural resources.

 

Weather: A storm system to the north and east will produce low-level winds from the south to southeast, increasing moisture over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will be possible each afternoon through the weekend. Gusty and erratic outflow winds are possible with any showers or thunderstorms.

 

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public is the first priority. Members of the public are urged to stay away from the vicinity of the Rincon Fire. Backpackers planning to enter the Pecos Wilderness are advised to change their plans.

 

Restrictions: A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes unmanned aircraft, or drones. Unauthorized use of drones in a wildfire area endangers the lives of pilots and firefighters. Never fly an unmanned aircraft over or near a wildfire. See www.nifc.gov/drones for additional information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground. The Santa Fe National Forest expects to implement a closure order for a portion of the Pecos Wilderness in the near future.

  Smoke: Smoke from the Rincon Fire is visible within a 100-mile radius of the fire. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into the Santa Fe area to see the latest smoke information. 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 online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.   Fire updates will be posted on Inciweb, the SFNF Facebook and Twitter, SFNF website, and New Mexico Fire Information website.