Smoke from the Thompson Ridge Fire visible Thursday looking west from Espanola. Photo by Leland Lehman/ladailypost.comAcres: 14,430; Start date: May 31, 2013; Cause: Downed powerline; Location: Valles Caldera National Preserve; Containment: 10 percent; Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine; Terrain: Steep, rugged; Resources: 25 crews, 49 engines, 23 water tenders, 2 dozers; Total personnel: 1,015; Available air support: 3 air tankers, 4 helicopters;
Summary: Overnight, the fire activity was quiet compared with previous nights. Work included securing the area around the Ranch Headquarters. Today, crews will continue to mopup and patrol the area around the Headquarters and the east side of the fire. Along the west side of the fire, crews will continue to secure the perimeter and conduct mopup operations to ensure the safety of the adjoining communities. Work continues along the southern perimeter to prepare and improve containment lines along Valles Caldera Road 02, south of Redondo Peak.
Evacuations: An evacuation order remains in effect for Thompson Ridge, Rancho de la Cueva and Elk Valley.
Smoke: Smoke from the Thompson Ridge Fire is evident in several communities. Communities in the region will be impacted by smoke from this fire and other fires in the area. Smoke sensitive persons in these areas need to be alert to this possibility and be prepared to take any necessary precautions. For more smoke information and air quality forecasts, please visit the New Mexico Environment Department’s website at http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/aqb and https://nmtracking.org/fire.
Road and Fire Area Closure: All points of entry to the Valles Caldera National Preserve are closed to public access due to fire activity. The Fenton Lake State Park is also closed to the public.
Open and active: Communities in and around the Santa Fe National Forest remain open and accessible including Jemez Springs, Jemez Pueblo, Santa Clara Pueblo, Los Alamos and Bandelier National Monument. Camping, hiking and other recreational opportunities are available in these areas.
Tres Lagunas Fire Update
Friday, June 7, 2013, 8 a.m.
Acres: 10,048; Cause: downed power line; Start Date: May 30, 2013; Containment: 34 percent; Location: 10 miles North of Pecos; Fuels: Timber; Total personnel: 973; Terrain: steep, rugged.
NO PUBLIC MEETING TONIGHT
Today’s Actions: Today crews will take advantage of increased atmospheric moisture over the fire. Direct fire and bulldozer lines will be constructed to tie in remaining active fire areas which include the Northwest corner of the Holy Ghost Canyon. Mop up will take place in the North, South and Southeast areas. The small spot fire north of Holy Ghost canyon was completely lined yesterday and will be mopped up today. Firefighters completed a partial fireline around the larger spot fire in Holy Ghost and expect to finish it today. Crews continue to build direct fireline around the cluster of spot fires on the east side of the fire.
The road block on Highway 63 is located at the Windy Bridge Day Use area at approximately mile marker 15.5. Individuals residing south of Windy Bridge have been allowed to return back to this area. Due to heavy fire traffic, please avoid driving on the highway before 8 a.m. and after 5 p.m. Returning residents are urged to drive slowly and use extreme caution. Areas north of Windy Bridge remain under evacuation. Forest Road 92 two miles north of the Bull Creek road remains closed.
Today’s weather: 30 percent chance of rain over the fire. Relative Humidity 18-25 percent, Winds Southeast 8-12 mph in the morning changing to the Southwest in the afternoon gusting up to 20-25 mph.
Smoke: The most significant smoke impacts from the Thompson Ridge and Tres Lagunas fires will be in the communities of Pecos, Jemez Springs and La Cueva, this morning. Potentially unhealthy conditions (visibility of 1.5 to 2.75 miles or less) could occur in communities from active fire overnight and in the early morning. During these conditions, sensitive groups such as people with heart and/or lung disease, adults over age 65, young children, and pregnant women should avoid all outdoor activities. Everyone else should minimize outdoor activities. With higher humidities over the next couple days, smoke production is expected to be reduced over both fires as fire behavior and growth is reduced. However, with significant thunderstorm activity predicted in the areas near both fires, potential impacts could occur in communities near each fire as storm activity pushes smoke in unpredictable directions. Information on wildland fire smoke and your health can be found on the New Mexico Department of Health’s website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.
