Vereda Blanca Fire Operations: After several significant rain events, fire behavior has transitioned to minimal smoldering. The fire will be patrolled and monitored until no hot spots or smoke are detected. Restoration plans are being developed and will soon be implemented in the burn scar area. As of 6:00pm tomorrow the incident will be downgraded to a type 4 and command returned to Mount Taylor Ranger District.
Vereda Blanca Fire Reported start date / time: August 8, 2025 / 0731
Cause: Lightning.
Location: Northeast Mt Taylor Ranger District near Black Mesa and northeast of Grants, NM. See attached map.
Size: 1,307 acres. Strategy: Full suppression. Containment: 34%
Fire Behavior: Minimal. Fuels: Pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pine.
Resources: 41 personnel.
Smoke: Residual smoke may be visible west of the surrounding areas of the Grants, Milan, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Cuba and Jemez. An interactive smoke map athttps://fire.airnow.gov allows you to zoom into areas to see the latest smoke conditions.
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!"
Weather forecast for Grants, NM: Weather forecasts are favorable over the next 5 days for fire containment to continue on the existing perimeter with roughly a 30% chance of rain every day
All fire information and updates will be posted on the www.inciweb.wildfire.gov, Cibola NF & NGs website, New Mexico Fire Information website, and the Cibola NF & NGs Facebook & X pages.
Media Contact: Kaleb Hoeft--
