Desert Willow Complex Fire - Update 6/25/25
Highlights: Due to the hard work of firefighters on the ground, containment has been raised on the Desert Willow Complex Fire to 70% on Cotton 1 and 40% on Cotton 2. The fire received precipitation yesterday and overnight. The public is advised to avoid the bosque area where firefighters will be continuing efforts to extinguish interior heat and using heavy machinery.
Update: Today, response crews will continue focusing their efforts within the bosque, as they secure the edges of the fire area and mop up interior heat. Road improvement activities are being conducted to ensure that the levy road is maintained. Hazard tree removal will be ongoing. Some trees do have smoke from embers lodged within their trunks or branches. At night, these embers may emit a glow. Incident management priority remains focused on community protection at all times.
Although smoke is no longer visible, the public should continue to avoid the bosque area due to natural hazards such as fire-damaged trees, heavy equipment use and fire suppression activity.
The Desert Willow Complex fire is 237 acres and is located in the bosque area of Los Lunas on the west and east sides of the Rio Grande, near the Main Street bridge. The fire was discovered at 3:23 p.m. on Saturday, June 21.
Returning to Homes: Pink-colored fire retardant was used during initial attack to protect homes from fire damage. This product is Phos-Chek MVP-fx and is non-toxic. Residents should consider using personalized protective equipment such as long sleeves, eye protection, and gloves for cleaning purposes. Use water to clean exterior surfaces and a wet-vac for any retardant exposure within the interior of the home. A safety data sheet about Phos-Chek is available at this link: https://www.perimeter-solutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/PHOS-CHEK-MVP-Fx-EN-Australia-GHS-SDS-2020-03-19.pdf
Community Information: Daniel Fernandez Center is available as a community service center for the rest of the week. Donations are available for residents impacted by the fire. The Village of Los Lunas will accept monetary donations through a partnership with United Way: https://give.uwncnm.org/campaign/699958/donate. Community information on the fire and services is available on the Village of Los Lunas website: https://www.loslunasnm.gov/1347/Desert-Willow-Complex-Fire-Information
Weather: Currently 74 degrees, 54% RH, calm winds. A Flood Watch is in effect for the area from 12pm – midnight. Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 3 p.m. Highs near 84. South wind around 5 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
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Acres: Cotton 1: 95. Cotton 2 - 142. Total: 237 per further mapping and ground truthing.
Containment: Cotton 1 - 70%. Cotton 2 - 40%
Start Date/ Time: 3:23 p.m., 6/21/25
Fuels: Bosque, cottonwood, riparian invasives.
Cause: Under investigation.
Location: Bosque area in Los Lunas south and north of Main St. Bridge, east and west sides of the Rio Grande.
Ownership: Private.
Structure Impact: 10 structures have been reported lost, 4 have major or minor damage, per Valencia County.
Resources: NM Forestry Division N6S, Mimbres crew, Wheeler Peak crew. Carson IHC hotshots, 1 stick of Smokejumpers, Valencia County, Albuquerque Fire Rescue, Bernalillo County, Belen Fire, Town of Bernalillo, Cochiti Pueblo, North Dakota engine crew, Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, National Park Service, Forest Service. Los Lunas Fire, Albuquerque Fire, Rio Communities Fire, Peralta Fire, City of Santa Fe, Bosque Farms Fire. Law enforcement includes Valencia County Sheriffs, Belen PD, Los Lunas PD, Isleta PD, Bosque Farms PD, and NM State Police. Total personnel: 141
