EMNRD-FORESTRY DIVISION for the Albuquerque Zone Team III
Fort Craig Wildfire Update for Immediate Release -- July 29, 2015 -- AM
Contact: (575) 835-0412
Fire Name: Fort Craig Wildfire Time/Date Started: Sunday, July 26 at approximately 5:00 p.m.
Location: Approximately 27 miles south of Socorro, NM along the Rio Grande
Cause: under investigation Fuels: salt cedar, cottonwood, cattails, willows
Size: 777 acres
Containment: 0%
Evacuations: None
Injuries: 0
Resources Committed: 6 engines, 3 dozers, 3 Type 1 crews, 1 Type 2 IA crew, 2 Inmate Work Crews (IWC) and 1 helicopter.
General Information/Announcements: Upon receiving a report of the fire on July 26, crews from the Socorro Field Office of USDI Bureau of Land Management responded, taking initial action to suppress the fire which was burning in heavy riparian vegetation on the west side of the Rio Grande.
By early morning on July 27 fire activity was minimal, but a thunderstorm at midday pushed the fire to the northeast, and windblown embers crossed the river. Two spot fires flared up but were extinguished with the assistance of helicopter bucket drops.
Despite the marshy nature of the area, dozer lines were established where possible, and firefighters worked through the night as fire intensity subsided.
Burn out operations were undertaken to strategically remove fuel in front of the fire’s head. Thunderstorms with erratic winds created active fire behavior on July 28.
Firefighters and bulldozers constructed containment lines, and helicopter bucket drops cooled hot spots. A type 1 crew with an engine and dozer worked the night shift last night.
The fire is burning under an El Paso Electric Cooperative power line, but no poles have been lost. Other values at risk include Fort Craig Historical Site, numerous cultural sites, and the railroad bridge 5 miles northeast of Fort Craig.
At 6:00 pm on July 28, management of the fire was transferred from the BLM’s Type 4 organization to the Albuquerque Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team.
Weather: There is a high probability of rain and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.
Fire behavior: Fire is expected to be active today, and erratic winds from thunderstorms may create a high risk of spot fires.
Operations: Today firefighters are focusing on securing containment line southwest of the power line, as well as mopping up on the south side next to the river. Crews will also patrol containment lines and install hose lays in preparation for burnout operations, weather permitting.
Cooperating agencies: USDI Bureau of Reclamation, El Paso Electric Cooperative, Socorro County, Armendaris Ranch, New Mexico State Forestry Division
Smoke: For information on wildland fire smoke and your health visit:
http://nmtracking.org/en/environ_exposure/fire-and-smoke/
Fire Safety Tips: Firefighter and public safety is our primary objective. Drivers on I-25 and on the Fort Craig entrance road should be alert for the presence of firefighting vehicles.