Fire

The smoke plume from the Sardinas Canyon Fire visible Tuesday evening from Los Alamos. The fire ignited Sunday afternoon 18 miles southeast of Taos. Photo by Elena Giorgi

Scene from the Sardinas Canyon Fire burning near Taos in the Carson National Forest. Courtesy/NMFI

FIRE UPDATE:

As of Tuesday evening the Sardinas Canyon Fire has consumed about 500 acres and is burning 18 miles from Taos.

Acres: Approximately 500 acres

Percent Containment: 0 percent

Start Date: June 24, 2018, 2:09 p.m.

Cause: Unknown, under investigation

Jurisdiction: Carson National Forest, Camino Real Ranger District Read More

CNF News:

TAOS — The Carson National Forest (CNF) will implement Stage 3 Restrictions over most of the forest, effective 6 a.m. Wednesday, June 27.

Effectively immediately, the Camino Real Ranger District is closed. This immediate closure of the Camino Real District is strictly precautionary, the Sardinas Canyon Fire is not threatening structures nor is it expected to do so.

The remainder of the closure, which includes the Questa, Tres Piedras, El Rito and Canjilon District goes into effect 6 a.m., Wednesday. This partial closure will remain in effect until the forest receives significant Read More

SFNF News:

SANTA FE – While the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) and Valles Caldera National Preserve (Preserve) have received some rain, fire danger is still high to extreme.

For the SFNF, forest conditions mean the forest-wide closure remains in effect until much more significant and widespread precipitation is received. 

The Preserve, managed by the National Park Service, will remain in partial closure. 

“It typically takes several rain events over time before the moisture saturates the ground well enough for vegetation to sufficiently hydrate,” said Kimberly DeVall, spokesperson Read More

VCNP News:

Firefighters continue to make progress in their work to contain the San Antonio Fire that has been active over the past week on the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Containment is a direct action where crews remove vegetation next to the fires edge, creating a fireline.

With no additional fuel to consume, the fire remains within the established fireline. Containment describes how much progress (percentage) crews have made hacking and digging a perimeter around a blaze.

While the perimeter-based size hasn’t changed in several days, the scattering of the smaller fires inside Read More

Scene Friday at the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

VCNP News:

Two firefighters were injured by a falling tree while working on the San Antonio Fire Tuesday afternoon on the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Fire personnel responded quickly to the incident, and patients were airlifted to an area hospital.

The firefighters’ injuries were evaluated and treated by medical staff at the hospital. Both firefighters were released from the hospital following treatment early this morning.

“This incident again emphasizes that firefighting is a dangerous Read More

Despite recent rain, fires still burn on the Valles Calderas and Stage III restrictions remain in place for the entire Jemez Mountain area. Courtesy/Jerry Carroll

 

VCNM News:

Fire officials want to stress that the rains received a couple of days ago were not enough to lift the Stage III fire restrictions and closures within the Jemez Mountain area.

It typically takes several rain events before the moisture saturates the ground enough to allow the vegetation to restore its dehydrated system. In others words, imagine spending all day outside doing yard work in the sun and heat, but you only Read More

VCNP News:

Although the much-needed rain aided the firefighting efforts on the Valles Caldera, it was short lived as a drying trend is predicted for the next week.

With an increase in temperature and lowering of humidity, roads and vegetation are drying, which may contribute to higher fire activity. The fire is still at 495 acres. The interior of the fire perimeter area is still burning and smoldering.

Sunday’s reconnaissance flight indicated multiple spot fires on the northwest perimeter of the fire. Firefighters will continue work today strengthening hand line on the steep and rocky Read More

Rain aides firefighters in keeping blaze at 495 acres overnight on the Valles Caldera. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

 

VCNP News:

Saturday’s rain aided firefighting efforts and kept the San Antonio Fire at 495 acres on the Valles Caldera National Preserve.

The lightning-caused fire is burning within the northwest area of the Preserve. Fire activity was moderate with spots of creeping flames and smoldering timber. The historic cabin within the fire perimeter and the weather station and natural gas pipeline near the fire remain intact and unaffected by the fire.

The Albuquerque Read More