Reported start date / time: August 8, 2025 / 0731

Cause: Undetermined. Location of fire start was in a remote area.

Size: 1,000 acres.         Containment: 0%                    Strategy: Full suppression.

Location: Northeast Mt Taylor Ranger District near Black Mesa and northeast of Grants, NM. See attached map.

Fire Behavior: Moderate.

Operations: Yesterday's continued hot dry conditions and higher winds increased fire activity in the remote location of the Vereda Blanca Fire to include short-range spotting and increased acres burned. Ground crews face multiple challenges in the difficult terrain as the fire has spread off the mesa into drainage areas on the North and South flanks. Today, firefighters will establish an anchor point and continue scouting to prep edges of the fire. Aerial resources will continue to assist operations.

Resources: Firefighters from the USFS, BLM and contractors are on scene. Additional engines, hand crews and aerial resources are ordered and enroute.

A Type 3 Incident Commander will transition command of the Vereda Blanca Fire tomorrow (Monday 8/11).

Values at risk: The Vereda Blanca Fire is not a threat to any communities, and there are no evacuations in effect. 

Cultural sites may be at risk.

Fuels: Pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pine.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public should avoid the Vereda Blanca Fire area.

Drones pose a serious risk to firefighting and can cause air operations to cease.

The public is reminded that "If you fly, we can't!" 

Smoke: Smoke may be visible west of the surrounding areas of the Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Cuba and Jemez. 

An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov  allows you to zoom into areas to see the latest smoke conditions.

Weather forecast for Grants, NM: Today (8/10/25): Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Widespread haze. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Tonight: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 53. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming southeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Monday (8/11/25) Sunny, with a high near 91. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. https://www.weather.gov/