Las Tusas Fire Update – May 12, 2023

Evening Update

LAS VEGAS, NM – May 12, 2023 – Today, firefighters made progress securing the fire line. Containment is 30 percent, with 969 acres burned. As of 1:30 p.m., evacuation orders have been lifted for the area. The orders affected 165 residences, and an estimated 492 individuals. A San Miguel County Sheriff’s office damage assessment found 3 structures were lost, along with 10 outbuildings.

Start date:  May 11, 2023

Location:  West of Sapello, NM approximately 12 miles north of Las Vegas, NM

Cause:  Unknown, under investigation

Size: 969 acres, acreage reduced due to more accurate mapping via GPS by aircraft.     

Percent Contained:  30%

Resources: 3 Hotshot crews, 1 Type 2 IA Handcrew, 4 dozers, 18 engines, 5 water tenders, 2 Type 3 Helicopters. Fire managers are also utilizing aircraft with infrared capabilities to locate hotspots and provide better estimates of the fire size.

Evacuations: Evacuations have been lifted. The Red Cross Evacuation Center at Abe Montoya Recreation Center and Storrie Lake are no longer evacuation centers as of 5 p.m. today.                                                                                                                                      

Closures: Road closures have been lifted.

Smoke: Individuals sensitive to wildfire smoke should take precautions and use the New Mexico Department of Health 5-3-1 Visibility Method to determine if it’s safe to be outside. Learn more at https://nmtracking.doh.nm.gov/environment/air/FireAndSmoke.html.   An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions. 

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. 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. The Forest Stewards Guild offers a HEPA Filter Loan Program that are available on a first come/first served basis. Additional information on air filters and the HEPA loan program is posted at http://www.santafefireshed.org/hepa-filter-loan-program#smokeanchor3.

Fire updates will be posted on the New Mexico Fire Information website, as well as the NM State Forestry Division Twitter.

Las Tusas Fire Update – May 12, 2023

LAS VEGAS, NM – May 12, 2023 – Air tankers and helicopters were utilized to aid firefighting efforts to suppress the Las Tusas fire. Firefighters worked overnight to secure the perimeter taking advantage of lower winds and cooler temperatures. They will continue to secure the fire edge and mop up any potential threats to the fire line as well as implementing structure protection tactics to protect homes in the fire area. The Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed command of the Las Tusas Fire at 6:00 am May 11, 2023. The Las Tusas Fire started on Wednesday May 10, 2023, and fire managers have implemented a full suppression strategy. The fire is located on private land west of Sapello, NM in San Miguel County, north of Las Vegas, NM. Firefighters have confirmed that structures were lost to the Las Tusas Fire. The number of structures burned is still being assessed. Emergency responders from the San Miguel County Sherriff’s Office are currently in that area assessing the damage.

Start date:  May 11, 2023

Location:  West of Sapello, NM approximately 46 miles north of Las Vegas, NM

Cause:  Unknown, under investigation

Size: 969 acres, acreage reduced due to more accurate mapping via GPS by aircraft.     

Percent Contained:  0%

Resources: 3 Hotshot crews, 1 Type 2 IA Handcrew, 4 dozers, 18 engines, 5 water tenders, 3 Type 3 Helicopters. Fire managers are also utilizing aircraft with infrared capabilities to locate hotspots and provide better estimates of the fire size.

Evacuations: Evacuations are in place for Highway 94 residents from Canoncito to the intersection of Highway 266 and 94. The following are places that evacuees can go to.                                                                                                                                    

– Abe Montoya Recreation Center, 1751 N Grand Ave, Las Vegas, NM 87701.  

– Storrie Lake State Park, 3 Esequiel C De Baca LN, Las Vegas, NM 87701 

Closures: NM 94 and NM 266 has been closed to incoming traffic. 

Smoke: Individuals sensitive to wildfire smoke should take precautions and use the New Mexico Department of Health 5-3-1 Visibility Method to determine if it’s safe to be outside. Learn more at https://nmtracking.org/environment/air/FireAndSmoke.html.  An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions. 

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. 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. The Forest Stewards Guild offers a HEPA Filter Loan Program that are available on a first come/first served basis. Additional information on air filters and the HEPA loan program is posted at http://www.santafefireshed.org/hepa-filter-loan-program#smokeanchor3.

Fire updates will be posted on the New Mexico Fire Information website, as well as the NM State Forestry Division Twitter.

Las Tusas Fire Update – May 11, 2023

LAS VEGAS, NM – May 11, 2023 – The Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed command of the Las Tusas Fire as of 6:00 am this morning May 11, 2023. The Las Tusas Fire started on Wednesday May 10, 2023, and fire managers have implemented a full suppression strategy. The fire is located on private land west of Sapello, NM in San Miguel County, north of Las Vegas, NM. Firefighters have confirmed that structures were lost to the Las Tusas Fire. Emergency responders are currently in that area assessing the damage.

Start date:  May 11, 2023

Location:  West of Sapello, NM approximately 12 miles north of Las Vegas, NM

Cause:  Unknown, under investigation

Size: The fire is rapidly growing in size, as of last night fire was 1,000 acres.     Percent Contained:  0%

Resources: 2 Hotshot crews, 1 Type 2 IA Handcrew, 4 dozers, 6 engines, multiple volunteer engines, 1 Type 3 Helicopter. Additional resources such as an air attack, hotshot crews, engines and infrared mapping aircraft have been ordered by the team to bolster the firefighting effort.

Evacuations: Evacuations are in place for Highway 94 residents from Canoncito to the intersection of Highway 266 and 94. The following are places that evacuees can go to.                                                                                                                                    

– Abe Montoya Recreation Center, 1751 N Grand Ave, Las Vegas, NM 87701.  

– Storrie Lake State Park, 3 Esequiel C De Baca LN, Las Vegas, NM 87701 

Closures: NM 94 and NM 266 has been closed to incoming traffic. 

Smoke: Individuals sensitive to wildfire smoke should take precautions and use the New Mexico Department of Health 5-3-1 Visibility Method to determine if it’s safe to be outside. Learn more at https://nmtracking.org/environment/air/FireAndSmoke.html.  An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions. 

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. 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. The Forest Stewards Guild offers a HEPA Filter Loan Program that are available on a first come/first served basis. Additional information on air filters and the HEPA loan program is posted at http://www.santafefireshed.org/hepa-filter-loan-program#smokeanchor3.

Fire updates will be posted on the New Mexico Fire Information website, as well as the NM State Forestry Division Twitter.

After a successful day of burning yesterday, conditions are forecast to remain favorable for burn operations to continue on the Scott Bar Mountain Underburn today.

Resources will target 42 acres for burning today. Smoke will be visible from Scott River Road, Fort Jones, and Quartz Valley.

Animas City Mountain Prescribed Burn Update

Tres Rios Field Office, Colorado

Information:  970-501-5665

Call Center Hours:  9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Email: 2022.CO.ACMRX@firenet.gov

Planned Prescribed Fire Dates:  May 8 – 15, 2023

Location:  BLM Land Animas City Mountain, Durango, CO

InciWeb:  Animas City Mountain Prescribed Burn: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7688/

Social Media:  https://www.facebook.com/BLMMontroseFireUnit & SWD Fire Twitter @SWD_Fire

Air Quality Information: https://www.airnow.gov/

Saturday, May 13th Update:

This will be the Final Update. The Bureau of Land Management Tres Rios Field Office finished prescribed fire operations on the Animas City Mountain project. Ignitions were completed on Friday, May 12th, for a total of 228 acres treated and a final acreage of 495. Ignition crews black lined the flanks of the control lines, while Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) conducted aerial ignitions. Two UAS units flew throughout the shift. The Bureau of Land Management and the Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) piloted the drones. UAS resources utilized infrared cameras to identify residual heat or heat outside of control lines. Firefighters patrolled and conducted mop up actions on the units that were ignited. Resources remained in place late into the night, holding and monitoring the prescribed fire area.

Prescribed fire resources will continue to secure ignited areas for multiple days. Moisture is forecasted for the weekend. Saturday evening and Sunday wetting rain is expected over the burn area.

Residual smoke is expected to dissipate within a day or two. Smoke from the prescribed fire was heavy at times for short durations. During a wildfire incident smoke can persist for weeks or even months. Treatment of the project area is concluded.

Smoke from the prescribed burn:

Several smoke monitors are placed within the community. Go to airnow.gov for current air quality.

Closures:

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued a Temporary Closure Order (COS01-23-02) on May 8th, that will remain in effect until rescinded. This includes all trail systems within the Animas City Mountain area, for all public use to provide for public safety.

City of Durango - All trails, trailheads, and parking lots at Animas City Mountain, Dalla Mountain Park, Tanque Verde and X-Rock will be closed to public access during the prescribed fire.

Non-fire Drone (UAS) & Aircraft Restrictions:

Thank you to the public for not using your personal UAS or drone. If flight space is intruded, it places danger for the UAS Pilot, firefighters, and public. During any wildfire or prescribed fire remember to keep your drone grounded.

Actualización de la Quema Prescrita en la Montaña de la Ciudad Animas

Oficina de Campo Tres Ríos, Colorado

Información: (970)501-5665

Horario de Centro de Llamadas: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Correo Electrónico: 2022.CO.ACMRX@firenet.gov

Fechas Planeadas para el Incendio Prescrito: Mayo 8 – 15, 2023

Ubicación: Tierras BLM en la Montaña de Ciudad Animas

InciWeb: Animas City Mountain Prescribed Burn: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7688/

Medios de Comunicación Social: https://www.facebook.com/BLMMontroseFireUnit & Twitter @SWD_Fire Información Sobre la Calidad del Aire: https://www.airnow.gov/

Sábado, 13 de Mayo Actualización:

Esta será la actualización final. La Oficina de Campo de la Oficina de Administración de Tierras de Tres Ríos finalizó las operaciones de quema prescrita en la Montaña de la Ciudad de Animas. Las igniciones se completaron el viernes 12 de mayo, para un total de 228 acres tratados y una superficie final de 495. Las cuadrillas de ignición alinearon de negro los flancos de las líneas de control, mientras que los sistemas aéreos no tripulados (UAS) realizaron igniciones aéreas. Dos unidades de UAS volaron durante todo el turno. La Oficina de Administración de Tierras y la División de Prevención y Control de Incendios (DFPC) pilotearon los drones. Los recursos de UAS utilizaron cámaras infrarrojas para identificar el calor residual o el calor fuera de las líneas de control. Los bomberos patrullaron y realizaron acciones de limpieza en las unidades que se incendiaron. Los recursos permanecieron en su lugar hasta altas horas de la noche, manteniendo y monitoreando el área de incendios prescritos.

Los recursos de incendios prescritos continuarán asegurando las áreas encendidas durante varios días. Se pronostica humedad para el fin de semana. El sábado por la noche y el domingo se esperan lluvias torrenciales sobre el área quemada.

Se espera que el humo residual se disipe en uno o dos días. El humo de la quema prescrita fue denso a veces durante períodos breves. Durante un incidente de incendio forestal, el humo puede persistir durante semanas o incluso meses. Se concluye el tratamiento del área del proyecto.

Humo de la Quema Prescrita:

Se encuentran varios monitores de humo dentro de la comunidad. Visite airnow.gov para ver la calidad del aire actual.

Cierres:

Oficina de Administración de Tierras (BLM) Orden de Cierre Temporal COS01-23-02 en efecto el lunes 8 de mayo de 2023, hasta que se rescinda. Cierre temporal en efecto dentro del Área Especial de Manejo Recreativo de Durango incluyendo todos los sistemas de senderos dentro del área de Montaña de la Ciudad Animas, para todo uso público para brindar seguridad pública durante esta quema prescrita planificada.

Ciudad de Durango – Todos los senderos, comienzos de senderos y estacionamientos en la Montaña de la Ciudad Animas, Dalla Mountain Park, Tanque Verde and X-Rock estarán cerrado al acceso público durante el incendio.

Restricciones de Drones no tripulados (UAS) y Aeronaves:

Gracias al público por no usar su UAS o dron personal. Si se invade el espacio de vuelo, se pone en peligro al piloto del UAS, a los bomberos y al público. Durante cualquier incendio forestal o incendio prescrito, recuerde mantener su dron detenido en tierra.

PLEASE BE AWARE: Wildland fire engines and equipment continue to be on roads in the fire area and on US Hwy 70 between Havelock and New Bern. Please use caution when driving near them.  

Weather: Warm and dry conditions expected for most of the day today as a cold front moves south across the region and likely to cross the fire site by mid-morning Sunday. Any precipitation is likely to fall overnight Saturday into early Sunday morning as showers and thunderstorms cross from the north. Minimum humidity around 45% with south-southwesterly winds of 5-10 mph, becoming southerly as the sea breeze crosses the fire.  

Acreage: 32,400 acres; Containment: 90%; Personnel and Equipment: 185 total personnel; 1 helicopter, 10 engines, 2 water tenders, 2 Type-2 and 5 Type-3 tractor plow units, 2 drones, 2 track-mounted engines and 1 ambulance.  

Yesterday: Crews monitored fire activity to identify hot spots and areas of concern and mopped up any close to the fireline. Flooding operations for areas of ground fire, and additional piping and pumping continued.  

Today: Aviation and ground resources will continue to monitor fire activity to identify hot spots and areas of 
concern. Mop up operations with engines, crews, and heavy equipment continue on the north end and southwest portion of the fire.  Work on contingency lines in the northwest portion of the fire are complete and will move to the northern portion tomorrow. Flooding operations for areas of ground fire in the southeastern portion of the fire continue and pumps will continue to flood areas in the south and southeast portion. Preparations for additional piping and placement of pumps to flood areas in the southwest portion of the fire will continue.  

• Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A “TFR” is in place effective May 9, 2023 from 6 AM to 2 PM local time, and altitude from the surface up to and including 1000 feet, daily until further notice, to allow for safe operations of the drone equipped to detect heat sources. Complete information is at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_3_2893.html 

• Closures: Forest Service Road 203 (Holston Creek Road) and Black Swamp Road remain closed due to fire equipment and operations. Updates to road closures surrounding the fire are at https://drivenc.gov/.    

• Air quality: Information on current air quality data for North Carolina is at https://www.airnow.gov/.   

• Firewise: Information on preparing your home and property to reduce the risk from fire can be found at https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Firewise-USA  

• Donations: Those interested in donating to firefighters, please consider assisting your local fire departments and /or the Wildland Firefighter Foundation https://wffoundation.org  

After a successful day of prescribed burning yesterday, fire personnel are heading back out to the Scott Bar Mountain Prescribed Burn project to continue burn operations. 

Up to 80 acres could be burned today, as weather and fuel conditions allow. 

Smoke will be visible from the Scott Valley as well as from Scott River Road.

If travelling on the Scott River Road, please watch for fire equipment moving about the area and reduce speeds. In areas of smoke, be sure to turn on headlights. 

PLEASE BE AWARE: Wildland fire engines and large equipment will continue to be on roads in the fire area and traveling to and from assignments on US Hwy 70 between Havelock and New Bern.  

Please slow down and use caution when driving near them.  

Weather: High pressure slowly moves offshore tonight allowing the South Easterly winds this evening to shift to a South Westerly direction Friday. Winds may not be strong, but may have periods of gusty winds Friday afternoon and early evening. A cold front coming through the area Saturday and Sunday will bring an increased risk for rain and thunderstorms starting Saturday evening and continuing into early next week. Winds will also shift Sunday to the West, then North Easterly Saturday night into Sunday morning. 

Acreage: 32,400 acres; Containment: 85%; Personnel and Equipment: 182 total personnel; 1 helicopter, 10 engines, 2 water tenders, 2 Type-2 and 5 Type-3 tractor plow units, 2 drones, 2 track-mounted engines and 1 ambulance.  

Yesterday: crews monitored fire activity to identify hot spots and areas of concern and moped up any close to the fireline. Flooding operations for areas of ground fire, and additional piping and pumping continued.  

Today: Aviation and ground resources will continue to monitor fire activity to identify hot spots and areas of concern. Mop up operations with engines, crews, and heavy equipment continue on the north end and southwest portion of the fire.  Work on contingency lines in in the northwest portion of the fire are completed and will move to the northern portion tomorrow. Flooding operations for areas of ground fire in the southeastern portion  of the fire continues and pumps will continue to flood areas in the south and southeast portion of the fire. Preparations for additional piping and placement of pumps to flood areas in the southwest portion of the fire will continue.  

• Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A “TFR” is in place effective May 9, 2023 from 6 AM to 2 PM local time, and altitude from the surface up to and including 1000 feet, daily until further notice, to allow for safe operations of the drone equipped with infrared to detect heat sources. The lower ceiling than the TFR last week is in consideration of Military flights out of Cherry Point. Complete information is at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_3_2893.html 

• Closures: The road closures on Forest Service Road 203 (Holston Creek Road) and Black Swamp Road remain in effect. Updates to road closures surrounding the fire are at https://drivenc.gov/.    

• Air quality: Information on current air quality data for North Carolina is at https://www.airnow.gov/.   

• Firewise: Information on preparing your home and property to reduce the risk from fire can be found at https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Firewise-USA  

• Donations: Those interested in donating to firefighters, please consider assisting your local fire departments and /or the Wildland Firefighter Foundation https://wffoundation.org  

DOLORES, Colo., May 12, 2023—The San Juan National Forest’s Dolores Ranger District is planning to conduct several prescribed burns starting in May. Burning operations will take place over multiple days when weather and fuel conditions are favorable and may continue throughout the summer and into fall based on conditions. Both hand and aerial ignition methods may be utilized, following the weather, fuel and smoke parameters stated in the prescribed fire plan. Burning operations will be conducted by U.S. Forest Service personnel assisted by fire resources from cooperating agencies.

Project areas identified for burn implementation are:

• Haycamp Mesa: 10,658 acres located 10 miles east of Dolores, along the Haycamp Mesa Road, Forest Service Road (NFSR) 556 – Haycamp Mesa Units 1-7, and 9.
• Boggy Draw: 10,082 acres located 3 to 15 miles northeast of Dolores, along the Dolores-Norwood Road near Little Bean Canyon, Boggy Draw Road NFSR 527, and Cottonwood Canyon Road NFSR 532 – Boggy Draw Units 17, 18, 20, 29-33, 45, 48, 50, 51 and 53.
• Salter: 5,379 acres located 7 to 15 miles east of Cahone, near Salter Y and Ormiston Point Road NFSR 521 – Salter Units 26-28, 30-33, 39, 41, 43, 44, and 47.

Reintroduction of prescribed fire is necessary to improve and restore vegetative conditions. This effort will reduce hazardous ground fuels, lessen the risk of unplanned large-scale wildfire, help restore ponderosa pine ecosystems, and improve wildlife habitat. Prescribed fire also reduces the ladder fuels that can carry fire into the canopy, killing mature trees.

During burning operations, smoke may be visible around Mancos, Dolores, Dove Creek, Cortez, and HWY 491 between Dove Creek and Pleasant View. Smoke may settle into low lying valleys and the Dolores River Canyon overnight. Smoke monitoring will be conducted and ignitions will be scheduled to minimize smoke impacts to communities. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. More information can be found online.

Maps of the prescribed burn units and additional San Juan National Forest prescribed fire program news can be found on InciWeb.  For more information, please contact Fire Management Officer Matthew Traynham, by email at Matthew.Traynham@usda.gov or by phone at (970) 882-6837.  

For information on current conditions and recreation opportunities on the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874, visit the forest website, or follow us on social media (Twitter and Facebook).