Rico Fire Update - June 25th

Location: ¼ mile NW of Pinos Altos, NM I Size: 421 acres I Containment: 50% I Personnel: 179

Start Date: June 20, 2023 I Cause: Under investigation I Fuels: Slash, timber and brush

SILVER CITY, NM, June 25, 2023 – As of last night, firefighters had reached 50% containment. Work to contain the fire continued through the night and steady progress is being made. Today’s Public Information Map that accompanies this Rico Fire Update shows the completed containment line as of early this morning. Firefighters are also mopping up, where they will check for and extinguish hot spots that may exist in the interior of the Rico Fire.

Some of their work also involves “cold trailing,” where firefighters will often use their bare hand to detect heat, not by touching a heat source, but by simply feeling the sensation of heat from a safe distance. If a heat source, such as smoldering stumps, roots, downed logs and woody debris is found, they will extinguish it by digging it out and/or using water to douse it. These measures are necessary to ensure that any potential ignition source is completely extinguished.

Bear Creek Road is not closed, however is experiencing heavy fire traffic. Travelers on Bear Creek Road are asked to reduce speeds and proceed with caution. The area will be heavily patrolled by Grant County Deputies over the weekend, while firefighting operations are ongoing. Please adhere to this request to help ensure everyone’s safety.  Thank you!

Road Closure Status: There are NO ROAD CLOSURES associated with the Rico Fire.

Residual Smoke: Expected to settle into lower elevations. Residents who live near the Rico Fire area are advised to close their windows, especially at night. Smoke sensitive individuals who want to learn more should follow recommendations at NMFireInfo Smoke Management

Aviation Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remains in place over the Rico Fire. All non-fire aircraft are restricted. This includes civilian drones. Unauthorized aircraft in the area will ground firefighting aircraft, hindering firefighting efforts.

For more information: visit NMFireInfo or the Inciweb direct link to the Rico Fire

Rico Fire Information:  575-323-1533 8 am to 8 pm or email Loretta_Benavidez@firenet.gov

Pass Fire Update - June 25, 2023

Acres: 54,454                                                                                                     

Start Date: May 18, 2023

Location: 40 miles west of Winston, NM                                                                                                  

Cause: Lightning

Containment: 13%                                                                                                   

Fuels: Timber, piñon/juniper and grass

Personnel: 92

As expected yesterday, with drier conditions and gusty westerly winds, the Pass Fire moved through an additional 989 acres in the southeast portion near Green Fly Trail (26) and Burnt Corral Canyon, according to last night's infrared flight. Observed fire behavior is low to moderate, consuming small stands of piñon and juniper, downed logs, and dry vegetation. Fire crews including a hotshot crew are in that area working to upgrade and maintain existing trails and roads that will be used as containment lines to ensure the fire stays within the intended designated boundaries with the goal of protecting private property to the east and all values at risk. Additional growth of the Pass Fire is anticipated until a soaking rain event occurs.

Minimal fire activity was observed on the north and west sides of the Pass Fire. Monitoring and patrolling of the whole fire area will continue.

Today, we can expect sunny skies and lighter winds and no rain yet in the forecast. Visitors are welcome to the Gila National Forest as it remains open, and there are no closures in place. Smoke is visible at times and can settle in the lower valleys at night and early morning but should lift and clear by mid-morning. Please use caution and stay informed on changing fire and weather conditions.

The overall strategy on the Pass Fire is to allow the low to moderate intensity of the fire to play its natural role on the landscape as firefighters take appropriate actions to keep the fire within the designated planned boundaries while protecting private land, infrastructure, and natural resources. The Gila National Forest is a fire-adapted ecosystem. It is dependent on fire to play a natural role in restoring the landscape to more natural conditions while preventing the occurrence of extreme fires in the future.

Weather: Sunny, lighter winds with highs around 81-87 degrees. Elevated fire danger today through Tuesday. West-southwest winds 6-15 with gusts up to 30 mph.

Aviation Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is still in place over the Pass Fire. All non-fire aircraft are restricted. This includes civilian drones. Unauthorized aircraft in the area will ground firefighting aircraft, hindering firefighting efforts. If you fly, we can’t.

For More Information:

• Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmgnf-pass-fire Inciweb is the official site for fire information. This site is secure and updated daily.
• New Mexico Fire Information: https://nmfireinfo.com/
• Air Quality: https://www.airnow.gov

June 24, 2023 – The San Jacinto District will proceed work today with the prescribed burn on Thomas Mountain. The primary objective remains consistent, focusing on working the interior of the fire and consuming the accumulated downed and dead fuels. Residents and visitors will see flames and smoke visible throughout the day and evening.

If you are traveling on California Highway 74 you may experience brief closures due to aerial operations. These closures are to protect both the firefighters involved in the operations and the public using the highway.

During these operations certain areas will be temporarily closed to the public: Forest Road 6S13, Tool Box Springs Yellow Post Sites, Thomas Mountain Yellow Post Sites, and the Ramona Trail. These closures are implemented for the safety of both the public and firefighters involved in the operations.

Prescribed fire plays an important role in forest health and in reducing extreme wildfires and their negative impact. These fires also help reduce heavy fuel loads while simultaneously opening the conifer forest structure and maintaining the health of meadow habitats. Fire is also used to enhance native plant communities and cultural landscapes and improve wildlife habitats. Another goal is to provide defensible space for communities and developed areas within and surrounding the BDF. With all fire comes smoke, and the U.S. Forest Service works to mitigate smoke impacts from prescribed fires on the communities in the area.

#PrescribedBurn #PrescribedFire #ForestHealth #thomasmountainprescribedburn

Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management Team
Luke McLarty, Incident Commander

Fire Information

505-418-1038
2023.comanche@firenet.gov
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/

Upcoming Actions: Every fire receives a strategic, risk-based response, and as conditions change, so do management actions. With weather over the next few days forecasted to be less than favorable for the Comanche Fire to fulfill its ecological role, fire managers have decided to limit further growth and take suppression actions.

On Saturday, air tankers and helicopters helped fire crews on the ground continue to keep the fire behind control features within the interior of the incident focus area. Firefighter safety is critical, and aircraft were able to cool the fire's edge and create buffers to allow crews to continue with their mission. Yesterday's work was to hold the fire above a previously improved road and to keep it out of an adjacent section of the focus area.

Smoke: Smoke may be visible from Canjilon, Abiquiu, El Rito and as far as Santa Fe and Taos. It may impact the communities of Abiquiu, El Rito, Medenales, Hernandez and the Española Valley. Temporary smoke monitors have been placed at the El Rito Ranger Station, Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu and the Chevron station in Hernandez. Air quality data is available from the Fire and Smoke Map at fire.airnow.gov.

Special Messages: There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the fire area. For the safety of aerial resources and firefighters on the ground, please do not fly drones in the fire vicinity. If you fly, we can’t.

Closure: Temporary partial road closures are in effect on Forest Roads 137 and 20.

Fast Facts
Size: 1,800 acres
Cause: Lightning
Fuels: Ponderosa pine and mixed conifer Values at risk: Cultural/historical sites.
Percent Completed: 18%
Resources: 3 hand crews, 2 wildland fire modules, 7 engines, 1 dozer, 2 water tender, 2 REMS teams, total personnel 186

Due to weather and fuel conditions, wildland firefighters did not conduct prescribed burn ignitions in the French Meadows Reservoir today. However, crews continued to patrol and monitor the previous three days of ignitions.

Smoke from the French Meadows RX burns produced minimal smoke and had minimal effect on recreation areas.

Smoke from the prescribed burns also had no impact on the 50th Annual Western States Endurance Run. Runners had clear skies and clean air. The Tahoe National Forest would like to recognize all of the participants who traversed the Tahoe National Forest on this epic occasion.

Due to weather and fuel conditions, wildland firefighters did not conduct prescribed burn ignitions in the French Meadows Reservoir today. However, crews continued to patrol and monitor the previous three days of ignitions.

Smoke from the French Meadows RX burns produced minimal smoke and had minimal effect on recreation areas.

Smoke from the prescribed burns also had no impact on the 50th Annual Western States Endurance Run. Runners had clear skies and clean air. The Tahoe National Forest would like to recognize all of the participants who traversed the Tahoe National Forest on this epic occasion.

Although there will be no additional burning on the Stanislaus National Forest Prescribed (Rx) Burn Projects, work continues to be wrapped up for the season. On the Strawberry Rx Burn Unit, crews continued to hold the units that were burned yesterday (S04 and S09). Heavy fuels within these units will continue to burn down and meet the prescribed fire objectives. The units that were burned within the last week along Crabtree Road continue to hold and be monitored.

In the Dry Meadow Rx Burn Project, all burn units continue to be monitored. Rehabilitation on dozer lines will continue. Backhaul from this project area will begin soon. The South Fork Rx Burn Project continues to be monitored as well.

Prescribed firing operations are anticipated to begin on the Stanislaus National Forest’s Experimental Forest on Monday, June 26. These units are much smaller than the larger project areas, with approximately 15 acres projected to be burned each day.

Tomorrow, a gradual warming and drying trend will settle in the area.

With firing operations over on the large project areas complete, the smoke levels are good in most areas. The area around Pinecrest Academy has unhealthy levels remaining, but these conditions will improve as the smoke dissipates.  

A total of 4,168 acres of prescribed burning has occurred in this area of the forest.

PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b) the following acts are prohibited on National Forest System (NFS) roads in the El Rito and Canjilon Ranger Districts, Carson National Forest, the area on the road described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area/Roads):
1. Going into or being upon the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e).
2. Being on the Described Road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).
EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
1. Permittees associated with the El Rito/Lobato and Mogote allotments.
2. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).
3. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
DESCRIBED AREA and ROADS
The following NFS Roads are closed to through traffic:
National Forest System Roads (FR) 137 and FR 20, as depicted in Exhibit A. Starting at points to the north and west of the intersection of National Forest System Road (FR) 137 and FR 20 (Township 25N, Range 6E, Section 33), points to the south of the intersection of FR 20 and FR 636 (Township 26N, Range 6E, Section 33), and points to the south of the intersection of FR 137 and FR 636 ( Township 25N, Range 5E, Section 11).
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety during a period of potential risk associated with wildfire management operations in the Described Area.
IMPLEMENTATION
1. This Order shall be in effect from June 17, 2023 at 6:00 am through July 8, 2023 at 6:00 pm, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area and Roads is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/carson/alerts-notices.
3. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.
4. A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
5. Contact the El Rito Ranger District in El Rito, New Mexico (575) 581-4554, and the Carson National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Taos, New Mexico, 575-758-6200, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes Order Number: 02-513 or any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area and Roads.

Rico Fire Update - June 24, 2023

Location: ¼ mile NW of Pinos Altos, NM I Size: 421 acres* I Containment: 20% I Personnel: 195

Start Date: June 20, 2023 I Cause: Under investigation I Fuels: Slash, timber and brush

*Size: adjusted from 423 acres back to 421 acres due to more accurate mapping

SILVER CITY, NM, June 24, 2023 – As strong, gusty winds materialized over the fire yesterday afternoon, firefighters were able to successfully hold the lines. Containment remains at 20% and the current size is 421 acres, all within the jurisdiction of the BLM Las Cruces District and NM State lands. Overall, fire behavior continues to lessen and in most areas is described as smoldering. The number of personnel increased slightly, in order to ensure that adequate resources were in place for Friday’s wind event. “We were able to anticipate the need for additional resources and equipment in a timely manner. Everyone was prepared and engaged according to plan. To date, there have been no reportable injuries or illnesses and we will focus on maintaining the health and safety of all personnel assigned to the Rico Fire,” said Incident Commander Soliz. He added, “We also wish to extend our appreciation to the public for continuously expressing their thankfulness and support. We relay those positive sentiments to the firefighters at every opportunity.”

Bear Creek Road is not closed, however is experiencing heavy fire traffic. Travelers on Bear Creek Road are asked to reduce speeds and proceed with caution. The area will be heavily patrolled by Grant County Deputies over the next three days, while firefighting operations are ongoing. Please adhere to this request to help ensure everyone’s safety.  Thank you!

Aviation Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remains in place over the Rico Fire. All non-fire aircraft are restricted. This includes civilian drones. Unauthorized aircraft in the area will ground firefighting aircraft, hindering firefighting efforts.

Residual Smoke: expected to settle into the valley, possibly impacting Silver City and surrounding areas. Residents are advised to close their windows. Smoke sensitive individuals who want to learn more should follow recommendations at NMFireInfo Smoke Management

Road Closure Status: NM State Highway 15 between Silver City and Pinos Altos is OPEN.

For more information: visit NMFireInfo or the Inciweb direct link to the Rico Fire

Rico Fire Information:  575-323-1533 8 am to 8 pm or email Loretta_Benavidez@firenet.gov

Fredonia, Ariz., June 24, 2023 – As warm and dry weather conditions move into the area, crews continue working to address preparation needs around the Three Lakes Fire area.

Moderate winds, increasing temperatures, and single digit humidity levels are limiting the potential for conducting tactical firing operations around the planning area perimeter, giving crews time to continue improving protections on designated forest roads, around cultural sites, and along State Route 67.

The Three Lakes Fire is approximately 480 acres and burning with a low-to-moderate rate of spread through the mixed ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and aspen forest and grassy meadows. Green grasses have held fire activity to a slow spread to the northeast, consuming pine needle duff and dead-and-down woody debris and stumps on the forest floor.

The forecast through the weekend and into next week calls for steadily increasing temperatures, low humidity levels, and light and variable winds. Weather will continue to play a vital role in how this fire is managed, with tactical firing operations planned only when conditions exist to safely do so.
Smoke may be visible from various forest roads in and around the vicinity of Jacob Lake, including State Routes 67 and 89A, and Forest Roads 212, 217, 260, and 462. Smoke impacts may be anticipated for the Jacob Lake area, State Routes 67 and 89A, and House Rock Valley.

Fire personnel and vehicles will be visible to the public in the vicinity the fire, including the Jacob Lake area and State Route 67. Motorists and visitors are asked to avoid active hot areas and are reminded to use caution and drive with heightened awareness when passing through any fire vicinity. There are currently no closures in place but are anticipated as the fire grows.

The Kaibab National Forest is one of many fire-adapted ecosystems. It is dependent on fire to play a natural role in maintaining vibrant forest health. Decades of fire suppression have caused an abundance of fuels to build up, which can leave the forest vulnerable and susceptible to more dangerous high-severity wildfires. Managing naturally caused wildfires across the landscape is a very effective tool in restoring the forest to a healthier condition. These efforts align with the Forest Service's 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which aims to increase the use of fire on the landscape as well as other treatments to improve forest resiliency for generations to come.

Additional information can be found on the on InciWeb, Kaibab NF website, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, or by calling the Fire Information Hotline at 928-635-8311 or local ranger stations.