The smoke plume from the Sardinas Canyon Fire visible Tuesday evening from Los Alamos. The fire ignited Sunday afternoon 18 miles southeast of Taos. Photo by Elena Giorgi
Scene from the Sardinas Canyon Fire burning near Taos in the Carson National Forest. Courtesy/NMFI
FIRE UPDATE:
As of Tuesday evening the Sardinas Canyon Fire has consumed about 500 acres and is burning 18 miles from Taos.
Acres: Approximately 500 acres
Percent Containment: 0 percent
Start Date: June 24, 2018, 2:09 p.m.
Cause: Unknown, under investigation
Jurisdiction: Carson National Forest, Camino Real Ranger District
Fuels: Aspen, high altitude mixed conifer, and sub-alpine fir
Origin Location: Sardinas Canyon, 18 miles southeast of Taos
Resources: 144 personnel, 4 crews, 4 engines, 3 dozers, and 3 helicopters
Tuesday, the majority of the fire growth was on the east flank, which remains west of Forest Service Road 76. Crews utilized air resources to help slow the progression of the fire to the northwest. Firefighters continued indirect line construction along the north perimeters of the fire using old logging road and meadows. Fire activity will be similar to today’s fire behavior due to hot and dry condition expected tomorrow.
Due to the remote location and rough terrain firefighters are implementing tactics that will yield a high probability of success while allowing for the safety of firefighters. Additional management actions will be further determined by fire activity, weather, and continued progression of the fire.
The Santo Tomas Apostol del Rio de las Trampas and La Merced de Santa Barbara hosted a meeting this evening at the Peñasco Community Center. Carson National Forest Staff and Fire Managers discussed the Sardinas Canyon fire and the forest closure.
A community meeting will be held in Mora at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 28. (Location to be determined).
Mora, Chacon, Holman, Angel Fire, Black Lake, Taos, Peñasco, Ranchos De Taos, Talpa, Pot Creek, Tres Ritos, Valle Escondido, and Taos Canyon communities may be impacted by smoke because of prevailing winds. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory 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’s website.
Effective immediately Camino Real Ranger District on the Carson National Forest is closed, prohibiting public access to the forest. Today, June 27 the Carson National Forest will also close (with the exception of the Jicarilla Ranger District). All activities are prohibited including recreation and wood gathering on the Carson National Forest. Campgrounds, trails and trailheads, and National Forest System roads will be closed to the general public. County and state roads that cross Forest Service lands are not under the Forest Service’s jurisdiction and will remain open to vehicular traffic. Additional closure information can be found online at the Carson National Forest webpage.
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire. Unauthorized use of unmanned aircraft (also known as “drones”) in a fire area endangers the lives of pilots and firefighters and is strictly forbidden. Never fly unmanned aircraft over or near a wildfire whether there is a TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) in effect or not. Visit https://www.nifc.gov/drones and Know Before You Go for more information on drones and wildfires.
Sardinas Canyon Fire Info: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5868/ (air quality info, maps, etc.) and http://nmfireinfo.com.
Source: New Mexico Fire Info
