UPDATE

Magdalena Ranger District to
Implement Corn Canyon Unit 2B Prescribed Fire

Yosemite National Park Fire Crews are planning for a 439-acre prescribed burn in Yosemite Valley next week. The project will focus on seven units east of El Capitan Crossover toward Leidig Meadow. Depending on weather and air quality, this project is planned to start on Monday May 24, 2021. Ignition could last three days with smoke lingering in Yosemite Valley for one to two weeks. Smoke impacts will be localized to Yosemite Valley during the day with smoke likely drifting down canyon during the evening hours. This project is part of the Yosemite Valley Parkwide Prescribed Fire Plan which encompasses 35 units totaling 12,114 acres.

Deputy Fire Management Officer Kelly Singer stated, “conducting fuels treatment in this area will reduce heavy accumulation of dead and down fuels. We anticipate temporary trail closures on the Valley Loop trail during burning operations. Visitors around Cathedral Beach, Sentinel Beach Picnic Area, and the 4-mile Trailhead starting from the Valley floor should expect to see fire personnel in the area.” There will be traffic control with one lane temporary closures in place.  

Fire managers work closely with air quality specialists and local air pollution control districts to time projects to coincide with favorable weather and smoke dispersion conditions. Smoke impacts are always a consideration in the decision to begin prescribed burning ignitions. For air quality information, please visit: Yosemite Air Quality Page or airnow.gov

Over 50 years of research has shown park managers that total suppression of all fires does not prevent large severe wildfires. Park managers understand fires are inevitable in our fire-adapted ecosystem and working with fire is a pro-active way to protect our resources. Prescribed fire is an important technique used to reduce excessive vegetation build up on the landscape and reduce the potential for more severe fires. 

Temporary trail closures on the Valley Loop Trail during burning operations. This includes the Valley Loop Trail on the southside of Yosemite Valley. 

Visitors around Cathedral Beach, Sentinel Beach Picnic Area, and the 4-mile Trailhead starting from the Valley floor should expect to see fire personnel in the area.

There will be traffic control with one lane temporary closures in place as fire crews work along road ways. 

Please abide by all closures for your safety.  

Announcement: Unless significant fire activity increases on the Drummond Fire, news releases will occur only as changes develop during the next week.

Announcement: Unless significant fire activity increases on the Drummond Fire, news releases will occur only as changes develop during the next week.

Location:  The Drummond Fire is one mile south of Emory Pass on the Gila National Forest, Black Range Ranger District, Sierra County, NM

Start Date:  May 19, 2021                Size: 501 acres                          Cause:  Lightning

Summary:  The Drummond and the Trujillo Fires were ignited by lightning on National Forest System lands on the Black Range Ranger District, Gila National Forest May 19th. Both ignited within the 2013 Silver Fire scar. The Trujillo Fire did not grow and has not generated smoke since May 21, 2021. During a June 1, 2021 isolated thunderstorm, the Drummond Fire received about .9 inches of rain and has remained smoldering in heavy downed logs. Yesterday it generated some small, isolated smoke columns, but its footprint has not grown since the June 1, 2021 rain and hot spots within the fire remain isolated.

A public meeting in Kingston yesterday, June 8th, provided an opportunity for attendees to learn from the unmanned aerial system (Drone) operators flying and mapping the fire, how this fairly new technology is being used. Drones are able to map the fire perimeter, perform infrared filming to detect heat across the fire, and to otherwise provide timely eyes on the fire from above for incident managers.  Added benefits also were addressed of reduced danger to helicopter observation teams flying low level in treacherous terrain, at a much lower cost than those of helicopter use, and for more immediate availability to fire managers of current fire activity.

For safety reasons, fire managers continue to use indirect tactics to contain the fire, while assigned resources make improvements to fuel breaks erected around the fire, concurrently monitoring the fire’s activity.

Objectives:  Fire manager’s primary objectives remain minimizing the impact of fire on wildland firefighters, public safety, and protecting natural resources. 

Closures:  Black Range Crest Trail 79 – Closed from NM Highway 152 south to National Forest Road (NFRS) 886. Royal John Rd., Grandview Trail 146 – Closed from NFSR 523 Silver Creek Rd. to Black Range Crest Trail 79. Trujillo Trail 134 – Closed from Black Range Crest Trail 79 to Private Seven Brothers – Closed from NFSR 886 Royal John Rd to Black Range Crest Trail 79.

Smoke/Air Quality:  The New Mexico Department of Health site also known as 5-3-1,  https://nmtracking.org/fire  has good information and guidance on mitigating your smoke exposure.  Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems are encouraged to take precautionary measures by staying inside during heavy smoke periods and avoiding outdoor activities.  Smoke will be visible and settle into the area of Kingston, Hillsboro, Lake Valley, and will also be visible on NM Hwy 152 and Interstate 25. Fire information can be found on nmfireinfo.com or on Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7494/ . For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website.

A public meeting for local residents will be held at the Black Range Lodge Amphitheater today, Tuesday June 8th, at 6:00 p.m. The Lodge is located at 50 Main Street, Kingston, NM. Please note the new fire information contact phone number has changed to 575-894-6677 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Announcement: A public meeting for local residents will be held at the Black Range Lodge Amphitheater today, Tuesday June 8th, at 6:00 p.m. The Lodge is located at 50 Main Street, Kingston, NM. Please note the new fire information contact phone number has changed. The new number is provided above.

Location:  The Drummond Fire is one mile south of Emory Pass on the Gila National Forest, Black Range Ranger District, Sierra County, NM

Start Date:  May 19, 2021                Size: 501 acres                          Cause:  Lightning

Summary:  The Drummond and the Trujillo Fires were ignited by lightning on National Forest System lands on the Black Range Ranger District, Gila National Forest May 19th. Both ignited within the 2013 Silver Fire scar. The Trujillo Fire did not grow and has not generated smoke since May 21, 2021. During a June 1, 2021 isolated thunderstorm, Drummond Fire received about .9 inches of rain and has remained smoldering in heavy downed logs. Yesterday it generated some small, isolated smoke columns, but it has not grown since the June 1, 2021 rain.

Fire fighters have used the intervening days between the rain and the present to improve holding features along State Highway 152 and Kingston. A fire observation drone has been used to map and observe fire progression during the past week.

A structure protection assessment, prepared several years ago for Kingston, will begin being updated this week. This activity will occur with fire personnel surveying the community around Kingston for new structures that might not have been present during the previous survey, then updating the communities fire plan with the local fire department.

Fire managers intend to keep the fire south of Highway 152.

Objectives:  Currently the primary objectives include minimizing the impact of fire on wildland firefighters, public safety and protecting natural resources. 

Closures:  Black Range Crest Trail 79 – Closed from NM Highway 152 south to National Forest Road (NFRS) 886. Royal John Rd., Grandview Trail 146 – Closed from NFSR 523 Silver Creek Rd. to Black Range Crest Trail 79. Trujillo Trail 134 – Closed from Black Range Crest Trail 79 to Private Seven Brothers – Closed from NFSR 886 Royal John Rd to Black Range Crest Trail 79.

Smoke/Air Quality:  The New Mexico Department of Health site also known as 5-3-1,  https://nmtracking.org/fire  has good information and guidance on mitigating your smoke exposure.  Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems are encouraged to take precautionary measures by staying inside during heavy smoke periods and avoiding outdoor activities.  Smoke will be visible and settle into the area of Kingston, Hillsboro, Lake Valley, and will also be visible on NM Hwy 152 and Interstate 25. Fire information can be found on nmfireinfo.com or on Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7494/ . For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website.

Announcement:  A Public Meeting is scheduled for 6 PM on Tuesday, June 8, at the Black Range Lodge, 50 N Main Street, Kingston, NM.  

Location:  The Drummond Fire is one mile south of Emory Pass and the Trujillo Fire is one mile south of the Drummond Fire on the Gila National Forest, Black Range Ranger District, Sierra County, NM

Start Date:  May 19, 2021                Size:  Approximately 501 acres                          Cause:  Lightning

Summary:  Smoldering and creeping were observed yesterday as the Drummond Fire continues to receive slight precipitation, moderating fire activity and growth.  Minimal smoke was emitted from the Drummond Fire. 

Yesterday crews worked to complete prep around the northwest and southwest portions of the Kingston fuel break   Please continue to use caution travelling along NM Highway 152 as firefighters will be in the area monitoring the Drummond Fire.

An Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) was deployed at Emory Pass to safely and successfully map the Drummond Fire perimeter and adjacent values at risk.  Please do not drive into Emory Pass Vista when the UAS crew is working there.

Today weather conditions will continue to be cooler and wetter as storms move through the area. Temperatures will decrease along with increased relative humidity. Fire activity will moderate as storms persist. Expect little to no fire growth with cooler weather present. Weather next week is expected to return to more normal hotter, drier, and windier conditions.

Objectives:  Currently fire managers primary objectives include minimizing the impact of fire and falling snags to firefighters, public safety for area residents, and protecting natural resources. 

Closures:  Black Range Crest Trail 79 – Closed from NM Highway 152 south to National Forest Road (NFRS) 886. Royal John Rd., Grandview Trail 146 – Closed from NFSR 523 Silver Creek Rd. to Black Range Crest Trail 79. Trujillo Trail 134 – Closed from Black Range Crest Trail 79 to Private Seven Brothers – Closed from NFSR 886 Royal John Rd to Black Range Crest Trail 79.

Smoke/Air Quality:  The New Mexico Department of Health site also known as 5-3-1,  https://nmtracking.org/fire  has good information and guidance on mitigating your smoke exposure.  Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems are encouraged to take precautionary measures by staying inside during heavy smoke periods and avoiding outdoor activities.  Smoke will be visible and could settle into the canyons around Kingston, Hillsboro, and Lake Valley. It will also be visible on NM Hwy 152 and Interstate 25.  A smoke monitor has been installed near Kingston and is operational.

Fire information can be found on nmfireinfo.com or on Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7494/.

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website.