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Category: Front Page News Front Page News
Published: 29 June 2015 29 June 2015

EMNRD-FORESTRY DIVISION For :

U.S. Forest Service
Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands
Magdalena Ranger District , Magdalena, New Mexico

Incident Name and Update : Red Canyon Wildfire Update of June 29, 2015 -- 9:30 AM

Red Canyon Fire at 14,997 Acres

Magdalena, NM - For Immediate Release. The Red Canyon Fire on the Magdalena Ranger District increased in acreage to 14,997 acres yesterday due to hand ignition on the fire line. The lightning-caused fire is located in the San Mateo Mountains, 2 miles southeast of Grassy Lookout and 27 miles southwest of Magdalena, NM.

Hand ignitions continued on both sides of Hudson canyon between FR96 and FR138. The hand ignitions are taking place in mixed-conifer and aspen with heavy dead and down fuels along the forest floor. The fire continues to burn in unburned pockets of fuel in pine stringers throughout the management area. Fire behavior continues to smolder and creep along the ground through grass and brush. 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. 85 fire personnel are assigned to the fire.

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.

The weather forecast calls for chances of thunderstorms and wetting rains today and tomorrow.

The communities of Magdalena, NM, Datil, NM and Pie Town, NM could experience drifting smoke during the afternoon and evening from the Red Canyon Fire, southwest of Magdalena, NM. Smoke continues to be visible from I-25 south of Socorro, New Mexico. 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.