Thompson Ridge Fire News Release
June 7, 2013 10:00 p.m.
Fire Information: (541) 787-4342
(541) 787-4343
Evacuations: An evacuation order remains in effect for Thompson Ridge, Rancho de la Cueva and Elk Valley.
Smoke: Smoke from the Thompson Ridge Fire is evident in several communities. Communities in the region will be impacted by smoke from this fire and other fires in the area. Smoke sensitive persons in these areas need to be alert to this possibility and be prepared to take any necessary precautions. For more smoke information and air quality forecasts, please visit the New Mexico Environment Department’s website at http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/aqb and https://nmtracking.org/fire.
Road and Fire Area Closure: All points of entry to the Valles Caldera National Preserve are closed to public access due to fire activity. The Fenton Lake State Park is also closed to the public.
Open and active: Communities in and around the Santa Fe National Forest remain open and accessible including Jemez Springs, Jemez Pueblo, Santa Clara Pueblo, Los Alamos and Bandelier National Monument. Camping, hiking and other recreational opportunities are available in these areas.
For more information regarding the fire please visit www.inciweb.org or follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ThompsonRdgFire . Additional photos and information are available at www.facebook.com/ThompsonRdgFire and www.flickr.com/ThompsonRdgFire.
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Acres: 18,300 Start date: May 31, 2013
Cause: Downed powerline Location: Valles Caldera National Preserve, NM
Containment: 40 percent Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine
Terrain: Steep, rugged Resources: 25 crews, 49 engines, 23 water tenders, 2 dozers
Total personnel: 1,092 Available air support: 3 air tankers, 6 helicopters
Summary: Today crews continued mopping up and widening the containment line on the western edge of the fire near the adjoining communities. This section of the perimeter has continued to show major cooling down. Crews also made significant progress in securing containment lines on the eastern edge of the fire along Valles Caldera (VC) Road 02 from the Ranch Headquarters north to the junction with VC Road 08 with no heat near the line. Along the southern perimeter of the fire, firefighter continued to improve containment lines.
The interior of the fire still has hot areas that produced occasional columns today. Aerial ignition was applied in some areas to create low intensity fire in order to clean out fuels. Tonight, crews will continue to hold and widen containment lines.
A public meeting is scheduled for the Thompson Ridge Fire for tomorrow, Saturday, June 8, 2013, beginning at 4:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Fire Station in Sierra los Pinos, New Mexico, located south of Highway 4 on FR 10. The Arizona Central West Zone team will be present to give an update on the fire. New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez will be in attendance.
We encourage everyone to limit activity and travel on Highway 4 from Jemez Springs to Los Alamos and Highway 126 to Cuba due to heavy fire traffic in and around the Thompson Ridge Fire. Heavy police presence from the Sandoval County Sheriff and New Mexico State Police Departments will be in the area to monitor traffic.