SFNF News:
The Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4 will transfer command of the Rincon Fire back to the Santa Fe National Forest, led by Type 4 Incident Commander Andrew Valdez, at 7 a.m. Tuesday.
This is the final update from the Type 2 Incident Management Team. If fire activity increases, future updates will be shared by the Santa Fe National Forest. The Team extends its sincere thanks to the local communities for their support and hospitality throughout this incident.
Sunday, air operations performed additional reconnaissance flights over the Rincon Fire to monitor its behavior and activity. This flight documented some increased pockets of heat on the south end of the fire, although very little movement was recorded. One helicopter will remain available and ready to assist if the Rincon Fire exhibits any increased activity.
Throughout this incident, no accidents or injuries were reported. To provide protection for nearby structures, Beatty’s Cabin and surrounding outbuildings will remain wrapped with protective materials after the Team departs from the incident. The Team will complete a thorough transition with the Santa Fe National Forest to ensure continued success after their departure Tuesday morning.
Start Date: June 11, 2021
Location: Pecos Wilderness, Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District, approx. 25 miles northwest of Las Vegas, NM
Fuels: Spruce/Fir at 11,000 feet elevation
Acres: 533 acres
Cause: Lightning
Containment: 0 Percent
Total personnel: 65
Weather: A cold front moved across the area overnight, spreading cooler and more moist air over northeastern New Mexico. Above normal temperatures and humidity around 10 percent will return on Tuesday and Wednesday as high pressure shifts south of the area. An increase in mid-level moisture Thursday will increase thunderstorms chances late in the week.
Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public is the first priority. Members of the public are urged to stay away from the vicinity of the Rincon Fire. Backpackers planning to enter the Pecos Wilderness are advised to change their plans.
Restrictions: Due to ongoing drought and high fire danger, the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) is implementing Stage 1 fire restrictions forest-wide with an order that took effect Thursday, June 17. The west side of the Forest has been in Stage 1 fire restrictions since May 24. In addition, a Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the area, which includes unmanned aircraft, or drones.
Closures: The Santa Fe National Forest has issued a closure order to protect public health and safety from June 16 through December 31, 2021, unless rescinded earlier. The closure order prohibits members of the public from entering the restricted area, including all Forest Service lands, roads and trails on the eastern side of the Pecos Wilderness within an area roughly defined by Jacks Creek Trail #257 and Beatty’s Trail #25 on the west to Skyline Trail #251 on the north to the Pecos Wilderness boundary on the east to Lone Pine Mesa Trail # 214, El Porvenir Trail #247 and Skyline Trail #251 on the south, then heading north to Iron Gate Trailhead and Jacks Creek Trailhead.
Smoke: Smoke from the Rincon Fire is visible within a 100-mile radius of the fire. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your location to see the latest smoke information. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health Environmental Public Health Tracking website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.
Contact: Fire information will be posted on Inciweb, SFNF Facebook and Twitter, SFNF website, and the New Mexico Fire Information website.The Rincon Fire Information phone number and email address will no longer be active after 8 p.m. tonight. For future updates, please contact the Santa Fe National Forest Public Affairs Office at 505.414.6438 or julieanne.overton@usda.gov.
