Cutoff Ridge Fire in Guadalupe Mountains contained after burning 430 acres

Mike Smith, Carlsbad Current-Argus
·2 min read

A fire burning for 10 days in Guadalupe Mountains National Park was declared 100 percent contained as of July 24, according to a fire information officer.

Allison Jolley said the Cutoff Ridge Fire burned nearly 430 acres of a remote area of the park. She said management of the fire was moved into monitor status.

More: Fire in Guadalupe Mountains National Park burns nearly 400 acres

“Although unlikely, smoke and flames may be visible within the interior of the fire perimeter,” Jolley said.

According to the InciWeb website, the fire was located nearly 33 miles southwest of Whites City and mainly burned brush vegetation.

Lightning was the apparent cause of the fire, which was first reported on July 14, per InciWeb.

Portions of the park remain closed

The U.S. Department of Interior’s (DOI) National Park Service (NPS) placed a closure order for some portions of Guadalupe Mountains National Park June 28.

Overnight camping at all 10 wilderness campgrounds within the park was prohibited and permitting of overnight trips in the wilderness area were suspended until further notice, according to the order.

All trails in the park are closed along with the McKittrick Canyon Visitor Center and the Frijole Ranch Museum, read the closure order.

An aerial exploration looks south towards the Cutoff Ridge Fire on July 21,2023. The fire was 100 percent contained on July 24, 2023.
An aerial exploration looks south towards the Cutoff Ridge Fire on July 21,2023. The fire was 100 percent contained on July 24, 2023.

Smoking is prohibited, except inside personal vehicles.

The Pine Springs Area remains open along with the Salt Basin Dunes trailhead, noted the park website.

'Cooler weather' forecast for Guadalupe Mountains

High temperatures around the park ranged from the 90s to around 100 for nearly two weeks, according to the National Weather Service's Midland station.

Temperatures were forecast to drop below 90 for the rest of July and early August.

More: High heat and fire danger close portions of Guadalupe Mountains National Park Wednesday

Daytime highs ranged from 84 to 89 with nighttime lows around 66, read the NWS forecast.

There was a chance for showers and thunderstorms for Monday and Tuesday in the Guadalupe Mountains.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Cutoff Ridge Fire in Guadalupe Mountains fully contained