EMNRD-FORESTRY DIVISION
Incident Name: East Well Fire

Start Date & Time: August 20, 2020 - 2324 hrs

Start Location: near Claunch, NM, Socorro County, 20 miles south of Mountainair, NM

Latitude: 34° 14' 2.47" N

Longitude: 106° 15' 9.37"

Cause of Fire: Lightning

Area Vegetation: Pinon, juniper, grass

Estimated Acres Burned: 701

Ownership(s): State

Structures Threatened: NO

Structures Burned: NO

Evacuations: NO
The East Well Fire located on state land near Claunch, NM in Socorro County is currently holding at an estimated 701 acres. No structures are threatened. Light to moderate rain fell over the fire area yesterday (08/24) allowing firefighters to safely engage and secure additional containment lines. Today, crews will concentrate on the east flank of the fire. The fire is smoldering and creeping with pockets of unburned fuels continuing to flare up and produce smoke. Numerous resources remain on the scene, including the Forestry Division Returning Heroes Program Wheeler Peak Crew, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Socorro, BLM Aravaipa Veterans Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC), USDA Forest Service Sandia and Mountainair Ranger Districts, McKinley County, Sandoval County, San Juan County, Valencia County, Ruidoso Fire Department, Rio Rancho Fire Department, and Elephant Butte Ambulance/Medic. Each is supplying personnel, equipment, and COVID decontamination units to support this fire.

Smoke may continue to be seen during the day from the surrounding communities and potentially impact low lying areas overnight and in the morning. Individuals who are sensitive to wildfire smoke should take precautions and use the New Mexico Department of Health 5-3-1 Visibility Method to determine if it's safe to be outside. Learn more at https://nmtracking.org/environment/air/FireAndSmoke.html. Fire updates will also be posted to nmfireinfo.com.