Black Fire becomes second largest wildfire currently burning in New Mexico
SILVER CITY – The Black Fire added more than 20,000 acres over the past 24 hours totaling more than 77,000 acres and becoming the second largest wildfire currently burning in New Mexico.
The wildfire started under a week ago, on May 13, in the Gila National Forest — about 24 miles north of Mimbres. The cause of the fire start is still unknown and under investigation.
High temperatures, low humidity and winds have culminated in creating the perfect conditions for the fire to grow quickly. Based on an infrared flight from Tuesday night, May 17, the fire is estimated to be burning 77,529 acres of forest land. No percentage of the perimeter is contained. More than 250 personnel are working to contain the blaze with more arriving continuously.
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A Type 2 Incident Management Team took over control of the fire early May 18, meaning there is a greater capability for resources available.
The fire was active with short runs and spotting Tuesday, according to an update released by the National Forest Service. A spot fire was seen across Diamond Creek.
Hotshot crews and air tankers worked on the eastern portion of the fire burning in grassy fields and responded to an area of the fire that started moving northwest later in the day. Firelines were constructed. Crews also started assessing structures and roads and identifying areas where indirect lines could be constructed for containment.
The national forest reported that crews would continue with assessments Wednesday and help landowners secure inholdings in the forest. Ground crews plan to work on the west side of the fire near Forest Road 150. A spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service said more growth is expected, however weather is forecast to be less severe. The area will remain hot and dry, but winds are anticipated to be light.
Temperatures are forecast to remain in the high 70s to mid-80s. Winds will likely pick up toward the end of the week, bringing red flag fire conditions.
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Smoke from the Black Fire is heavy and visible from much of the state, including Las Cruces. The forest service reported that smoke is drifting from the Gila to the east.
Skies were visibly hazy in Las Cruces Wednesday. The Air Quality Index placed the Las Cruces area in the moderate zone and climbing to unhealthy, meaning people sensitive to smoke may be affected.
As the blaze grows, sheriff's offices in Grant, Catron and Sierra Counties have implemented evacuations. They are using the “Ready, Set, Go” program to keep residents notified. Areas in the Ready level should prepare their homes by removing nearby dry vegetation. Set level residents should have a "go bag" — packed with personal essentials, important paperwork and other irreplaceable items. Residents in a Go area should immediately evacuate the area as the fire is approaching.
Evacuations are as follows:
Grant County:
GO: Starting from the Tom Moore Canyon Trailhead, south two miles, nine miles to the west, and east to the Continental Divide Trail.
SET: Starting from the Tom Moore Canyon Trailhead, three miles south, nine miles to the west, and east to the Continental Divide Trail.
READY: Starting at the Tom Moore Trailhead, south five miles, nine miles to the west, and east to the Continental Divide Trail.
Catron and Sierra Counties:
The area starting at the Grant County line south seven miles south and east to and east from the Continental Divide Trail approximately eight miles:
GO: Starting three miles south of Beaverhead, five miles to the west, south to the Catron and Sierra County line.
SET: From Beaverhead, three miles south to Kemp Mesa, four miles west, six miles east to the Catron County line, and 3 miles north. Includes Winston and Chloride.
Sierra County:
SET: Starting from one mile north of Lookout Mountain Trailhead, north seven miles, west to the Sierra County line and east to County Road 59. Starting from the Sierra County line north 12 miles, three miles east of the Continental Divide Trail, and west four miles.
Forest Road 150, also known as North Star Road or Wall Lake Road, has been closed off to the public. Interstate 25 and other state highways remain open to the public.
A temporary flight restriction has been enacted over the Black Fire to allow airtankers and helicopters ready access to help with suppression. The restriction includes drones and other aircraft.
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People can remain current with updated from the Gila National Forest by following its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/GilaNForest or by checking updates posted on New Mexico Fire Information at nmfireinfo.com. The public phone line can be reached by dialing 575-249-1264.
The state currently has eight active fires burning. The Black Fire joins the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires in northern New Mexico as the two largest fires currently burning in the state. Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon is burning 301,971 acres of land in the Santa Fe National Forest. It broke the record for largest wildfire in New Mexico Monday.
Leah Romero is the trending reporter at the Las Cruces Sun-News and can be reached at 575-418-3442, LRomero@lcsun-news.com or @rromero_leah on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Silver City Sun-News: Black Fire becomes second largest fire currently burning in New Mexico
