One mobile home burned in the Oakmont Fire; Blaze now down to 65 acres

The 120-acre Oakmont fire that began in Timberon, New Mexico on Friday, May 3 was reportedly 30% contained by Monday.

The fire destroyed an abandoned mobile home, according to officials from the New Mexico Forestry Division. Emergency Services Director for Otero County Matthew Clark said the mobile home had been abandoned for about four years. No other damage was reported.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated, according to the New Mexico Forestry Division.

The fire required 130 total personnel to bring it under control. The U.S. Forestry Division, Rio Grande Type 2IA engines, U.S. Forest Service, Timberon Fire Department, Smokey Bear and Sacramento Hotshot Crews all responded at the outset of the blaze.. As of May 5, only 60 personnel were at the scene.

The Oakmont Fire began at noon on May 3 in TImberon, New Mexico. The Oakmont Fire had burned 130 acres by May 6.
The Oakmont Fire began at noon on May 3 in TImberon, New Mexico. The Oakmont Fire had burned 130 acres by May 6.

"Forestry Division’s Rio Grande crew will remain through the evening and into next week to finish fire suppression and patrol efforts," New Mexico Forestry Division Communications Coordinator George Ducker said in a news release on Sunday, May 5.

When the fire was first reported Otero County issued an emergency evacuation for residents in the area. An evacuation shelter was set up at Cloudcroft High School. It is unclear how many people, if any, utilized the shelter during the brief evacuation period. A shelter was also set up for wildlife at the Circle Cross Park.

The U.S. Forestry Division, Rio Grande Type 2IA engines, U.S. Forest Service, Timberon Fire Department, Smokey Bear and Sacramento Hotshot Crews all responded to the Oakmont Fire in Timberon, New Mexico. The fire ignited May 3, 2024.
The U.S. Forestry Division, Rio Grande Type 2IA engines, U.S. Forest Service, Timberon Fire Department, Smokey Bear and Sacramento Hotshot Crews all responded to the Oakmont Fire in Timberon, New Mexico. The fire ignited May 3, 2024.

While firefighters continue to battle the blaze, the weather may play a role in fully containing it as a red flag warning w as issued for May 7 from noon until 9 p.m. A red flag warning is issued by the National Weather Service when the weather can contribute to wildfires being started and spreading.

Juan Corral can be reached at JCorral@gannett.com or on twitter at @Juan36Corr.

This article originally appeared on Alamogordo Daily News: Oakmont Fire burned one mobile home and is now 30% contained