EMNRD-FORESTRY DIVISION FOR THE
U.S. Forest Service
Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands
Magdalena Ranger District
Magdalena, New Mexico
Red Canyon Fire Remains at 14,418 Acres
Magdalena, NM - The 14,418 acre Red Canyon Fire on the Magdalena Ranger District had minimal fire spread yesterday. The lightning-caused fire is located in the San Mateo Mountains, 2 miles southeast of Grassy Lookout and 27 miles southwest of Magdalena, NM.
Aerial and hand ignitions occurred two miles south of the Grassy Lookout. Unburned pockets of remaining hazardous fuels were ignited. The fire is still burning in pine stringers throughout the management area. Fire behavior continues to smolder and creep along the ground through grass and brush. Resource specialists were able to fly the fire yesterday to continue quantifying fire effects. The fire continues to provide for improved ecosystem health and resilience. As the Red Canyon Fire continues to burn, potential fire behavior and effects are continuously being assessed to ensure incident objectives are being met.
A local Type 3 Incident Management Short Team is managing the fire for multiple resource objectives. These objectives include improving wildlife habitat, protecting cultural resources, reducing hazardous fuels and returning fire to the ecosystem. Fire personnel assigned to the fire remains at 85.
The weather forecast over the Red Canyon Fire calls for afternoon and evening thunderstorms, with relative humidity increasing due to cooler and wetter conditions through this weekend.
Smoke continues to be visible from I-25 south of Socorro, New Mexico. Local communities surrounding Magdalena, NM continue to experience drifting smoke and haze in the afternoon and evening from wildfires on the Gila NF and wildfires in Arizona. The New Mexico Department of Health provides a visibility test to determine smoke impacts in your area on their website at: https://nmtracking.org/en/environ_exposure/fire-and-smoke/#xEPHT__fivemile__1329 .
The following Forest Roads (FR) are closed until further notice: FR 96; FR 138; FR 478A; FR 478B; FR 330; FR 331; FR 378, and FR 478. The following trails are closed: Trails 28, 31, 43, and 63. All the listed Forest Roads and trails are within the working boundaries of the Red Canyon Fire perimeter.