Valle Grande. Photo by Glen Wurden

VCNP News:

JEMEZ SPRINGS – All public access to the Valles Caldera National Preserve is closed to the public due to increased fire activity from the Thompson Ridge Fire.

The Fire has burned more than 9,000 acres near the western border of the preserve since the fire began Friday, May 31. All recreational programs and activities on the Valles Caldera National Preserve have been suspended until the area is considered safe for visitors to return.  

The timing of what programs may be resumed will be determined after close collaboration with the Incident Management Read More

NMEOC/DHSEM News:

Updated information the Thompson Ridge Fire this morning from the New Mexico Emergency Operations Center and the Dept. of Homeland Security emergency Management:

• The fire has grown to 9,394 acres.
• There is a spot fire burning just north of the fire line and is approximately 68 acres: It is lined and believed to be contained. Much of the focus will be on the spot fire today and this evening.
• The main fire has moved past the Valles Caldera HQ structures with no damage reported.
• More resource requests have been made for equipment.
• Thompson Ridge evacuation area may be lifted this

.Bill Knight shared this MODIS image from 1:15 a.m. today showing where the Thompson Ridge Fire has increased overnight. Courtesy photo

Thompson Ridge Fire Update – June 4 at 10:30 a.m.

Acres: 4,451 Start date: May 31, 2013
Cause: Under Investigation Location: 10 miles north of Jemez
Containment: 5 percent Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine
Terrain: Steep, rugged Resources: 14 crews, 32 engines, 4 water tenders, 2 dozers
Total personnel: 591 Available air support: 5 helicopters

Summary: Today firefighters again expect extreme fire behavior due to the continued warm weather, Read More

Smoke-filled sky from the Thompson Ridge Fire looking west from Los Alamos. Photo by Leland Lehman/ladailypost.com

NMSFW News:

Acres: 3,229; Start date: May 31, 2013; Cause: Under Investigation; Location: 10 miles north of Jemez; Containment: 5 percent; Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine; Terrain: Steep, rugged; Resources: 14 crews, 32 engines, 4 water tenders, 2 dozers; Total personnel: 591 Available air support: 5 helicopters.

Summary: Today like yesterday, weather was the fire story. The winds on the fire were much stronger; 15-20 mph with gusts up to 30. Our temperatures increased Read More

Thompson Ridge Fire approximately a half-mile from homes this weekend as firefighters battle the blaze with buckets of slurry dropped from the air. Photo by Ron Brown

Thompson Ridge Fire at 1:22 p.m., June 1. Photo by Ron Brown

Thompson Ridge Fire at 5:45 p.m., May 31. Photo by Ron Brown

Thompson Ridge Fire at 9 p.m., June 2 approximately a half-mile from homes. Photo by Ron Brown

Staff Report

THOMPSON RIDGE FIRE UPDATE
June 3, 2013 9 a.m.

Acres: 2,229

Start date: May 31, 2013

Cause: Under Investigation

Location: 10 miles north of Jemez

Containment: 5 percent

Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine Read More

Panoramic view of the Thompson Ridge Fire taken at 3:30 p.m. today east of Redondo. Photo by Brian McCool

Helicopters get water from Fenton Lake at 3 p.m. today. Photo by Brian McCool

Staff Report

• Time/Date Reported: May 31, 2013, 2:40 p.m.
• Location: 8 miles northeast of Jemez Springs near La Cueva
• Legal Description: T19N, R3E, Sec 9
• Cause: Human, downed power line
• Fuels: Grass, Ponderosa Pine, Brush, Mixed Conifer
• Size: Approximately 1,200 acres
• Percent Contained: 0
• Resources Committed: 4 Type 1 Interagency Hotshot Crews, 1 Type 1 Helicopters, 1 Type 3 Helicopter, 9 engines

Taken a short time ago today above La Cueva facing east, the Thompson Ridge Fire is burning on Valles Caldera National Preserve land west of Redondo Peak. Fire crews report that the terrain is difficult to work in. Weather is not posing a major problem today because so far the winds are light and blowing from the south. Photo by Greg Kendall/ladailypost.com. Read More