June 21, 2025, 

Cotton Fire, Valencia County 

    Update: The Cotton Fire is currently estimated at 150 acres and is located in the Los Lunas bosque area on the west side of the river, south of the Main Street bridge. The fire was discovered at 3:23 p.m on Saturday, June 21.  

Current fire behavior is active, exhibiting runs and crowning into the tops of trees; winds are causing spotting ahead of the fire’s front. The fire has burned an unknown number of structures. Due to the fire conditions, crews are unable to go direct and are seeking other routes to begin suppression and containment during this initial attack period. Air attack with a type-1 helicopter has been making targeted drops over the fire area.   

Evacuations have been issued for the Carson Park area of Los Lunas, per Valencia County Fire Department. Shelters are open at the Daniel Fernandez Recreation Center. The cause of the Cotton Fire is under investigation. 

Evacuations / Closures: The Carson Park area of Los Lunas is a GO for evacuations, per Valencia County FD.  

Shelters: An evacuation center has been set up at Daniel Fernandez Recreation Center, 1103 NM-314, Los Lunas, NM 87031. 

Acres: 150 estimated. 

Containment:  0%.  

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 of Main St. bridge  

Ownership: Private  

Structure Threat: Two confirmed structures burned. Over 100 structures are threatened within the immediate area.  

Weather: Current temperature is 93 degrees, relative humidity is 13%. Winds are from the southwest at 33 mph. 

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. 

Resources: NM Forestry Division N6S, Mimbres crew, Rio Grande crew. Type-6 engines from Town of Bernalillo, Cochiti, City of Santa Fe, North Dakota. Resources from Valencia County, Rio Communities. Albuquerque Fire Rescue providing structure protection. Air attack: type-1 helicopter, 3 air tankers. Total personnel 120.  

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Skyline Fire, Lincoln County 

    

Update: The lightning-caused Skyline fire is currently 150-200 estimated acres and is burning south of Hondo and HWY 380 in Lincoln County. The fire was discovered at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 21. Resources have arrived on scene and are working to start constructing line around the incident. Fire is exhibiting running and spreading behavior within a grass and pinon-juniper fuels area. Two Single-Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) have performed retardant drops as part of air operations over the fire.  

Acres: 150-200 estimated. 

Containment:  0%.  

Start Date/ Time: 1 p.m., 6/21/25 

Fuels: Grass, pinon/juniper. 

Cause: Lightning. 

Location: South of Hondo and HWY 380 just west of Picacho Road, Lincoln County. 

Ownership: Private  

Structure Threat: Structures are located 5 miles north along HWY 380.  

Evacuations / Closures: None at this time. 

Weather: Currently the temperature is 90 degrees, with 18% relative humidity. Winds from the southwest at 9 mph.  

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. 

Resources: NM Forestry Division, Hondo, Lincoln County, Glencoe, Arabella, North Dakota Task Force, 2 water tenders. Air operations: 2 Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs). Total personnel: 29.