Location: Manzano Mountains
Date Reported: 7/8/2020
Resources assigned: 3 Interagency Hotshot Crews, 6 Engines, 1 Type 3 Helicopter, 1 Medical Screening Team, 1 Medical Decontamination Team, 1 Wildland Fire Module, and 2 Rapid Extraction Module, miscellaneous overhead.
Mountainair, NM – For Immediate Release – Distant thunderstorms once again brought heavy winds yesterday which tested firelines to no avail. The fire remains at 180 acres, and containment holds at 59%. A type 4 organization comprised of local resources has assumed command of the fire under the direction of the jurisdictional agencies, which include the Cibola National Forest and New Mexico State Forestry. Throughout the week, firefighters will continue to hold containment lines, monitor the fire, and mop up as necessary.
Weather: Today will be partly cloudy with a 30% chance of precipitation in the afternoon. Temperatures over the fire area will 79-84°F which is a significant cool down. Erratic and gusty winds are expected with west winds reaching 10-15mph in the afternoon. Minimum humidity should stay in the mid 20’s today.
Safety: Safety of the public and firefighters is always the top priority in wildland fire operations. Ojo de Los Casos Fire operations include best management practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within firefighter crews/operations and within the general public.
Drones: The public is reminded to avoid the use of unmanned aerial systems (drones) near wildfires. When drones are illegally flown over a fire, air operations can be suspended, and crews lose a valuable resource, which can adversely affect the safety and efficiency of the overall firefighting effort. For more information on drones, see https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire/uas/if-you-fly, and Know Before You Fly!
Closures: A 5-mile temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire for the safety of aviation and ground resources. The fire area will be temporarily closed to fuelwood harvest for firefighter and public safety.
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6837/
New Mexico Fire Information: www.nmfireinfo.com
Facebook: Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands (@cibolanf)
Twitter: Cibola NF&Grasslands (@Cibola_NF) and New Mexico State Forestry (@NMStateForestry)
