Yesterday firefighters and air support responded to the Camp Fire in the Ft. Stanton area. Six large air tankers, two single-engine air tankers, one type-1 helicopter, and one type-3 helicopter responded to the fire, along with several fire crews. Collectively they dropped 32,000 gallons of fire retardant at strategic locations around the fire. These air assets remain available today and will be used as needed. Today fire crews will construct fire line on the north side of the fire and will continue to secure the fire line created yesterday on the south side. Fire activity has decreased compared to yesterday.

The area affected by the fire is a specially managed area by the BLM and the State of New Mexico. The BLM Managed land is part of the Fort Stanton- Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area, and the state land involved in the fire is the historic fort, managed by the New Mexico Cultural Affairs Division. Three historical structures were damaged at Fort Stanton. Fort Stanton is one of the most intact 19th-century military forts in the country and is the best-preserved fort in New Mexico. One other outbuilding was damaged in the fire.

Weather: Temperatures today will reach approximately 75 degrees. Cloud cover is expected in the afternoon with mild winds approximately 10 mph. The lower wind speeds can help decrease fire behavior. There is a chance of rain tomorrow afternoon/evening.

Evacuations: Evacuations are still in place for the Ft. Stanton and surrounding campgrounds off of Highway 220 between US 380 and Devils Canyon turn off.

Closures: Highway 220 is closed in the Fort Stanton area. Please stay away from the fire area to allow fire personnel quick access to the fire.

Fire Restrictions: There are several fire restrictions in place depending on location.

BLM Roswell District, Lincoln County and the NM Forestry Division are all under fire restrictions or a burnban. Campfires of any kind (wood, charcoal, wood stoves), chainsaw use, smoking outdoors, operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and welding are all prohibited.To view full fire restrictions, visit: https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/find-current-fire-restrictions/Smoke : Individuals 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.doh.nm.gov/environment/air/FireAndSmoke.html. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

More Information:

Lincoln County Emergency Management Fire Service Facebook: www.facebook.com/lincolncountyfireservice 

Acres: 350

Cause: Under investigation

Containment: 0% but will likely increase as the day progresses

Total personnel for all incidents: 78

Start Date: May 25, 2025

Location: Black Jack Pershing Rd. and Bonito Loop, Fort Stanton, NM

Fuels: Pinon-juniper, grass