Aerial view of the Indios Wildfire burning in the Coyote Ranger District. Courtesy/inciweb
Forest Service News:
The Indios Wildfire burning in the Coyote Ranger District has consumed 851 acres as of today, May 22, 2024.
The wildfire was first reported Sunday afternoon, May 19, 2024, and is 7 miles north of the village of Coyote, N.M. and burning within the Rio Chama Canyon Wilderness. The cause of the wildfire is lightning.
The Northern New Mexico Type 3 Team under Incident Commander (IC) Luke McLarty assumed command of the wildfire the morning of May 22.
Resources on the fire include the Carson and Sacramento Hot Shot crews, 4 engines, 1 helicopter, equipment, and fire management. Indios Management Strategy The Northern NM Type 3 IMT is moving forward with a strategy to contain the wildfire.
The containment strategy means using tactical actions to manage the fire within a predetermined area. This strategy lets fire play its natural role in a fire-dependent ecosystem within the Chama River Canyon Wilderness. Wildfire management decisions are informed by several factors including firefighter safety, terrain, resource availability, fire behavior, past prescribed fire units and vegetation management projects in area, threats to public safety and property, and fire season outlook and modeling.
The Type 3 IMT, working with the SFNF, will discuss altering management strategies if conditions change.
Impacts to the Public:
- Smoke is visible and local communities may experience smoke impacts along Highways 96, 112, and 84; and
- A closure order will be finalized soon for the Continental Divide Trail section from the junction of Highway 96 near Coyote, N.M., and Skull Bridge along the Rio Chama.
There is signage at both trail junctions.
Check back at ladailypost.com for updates.
