Forest Service News:

Lightning sparked the Laguna Wildfire on June 25, which has now consumed 17,413 acres and is 78 percent out. It is located in the Coyote Ranger District, 8 miles north of N.M. 96 and west of the Chama River Canyon Wilderness.

Firefighters inserted via helicopter Thursday into the Chama River Canyon Wilderness had their shift cut short due to afternoon thunderstorms. Those firefighters will be transported back into the Wilderness today to finish mopping up the remaining areas of heat.

While portions of the fire received rain on Thursday, the return of hot and dry weather over the weekend will help firefighters identify any remaining hot spots near containment lines.

The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team continues to assess the fire-damaged area and is creating a soil burn severity map that will assist officials in determining how to minimize the potential for negative post-fire impacts.

Details:

• Personnel: 38 Resources: 2 helicopters, 3 engines, 1 water tender
• Fuels: Oak brush, ponderosa pine, Piñon-juniper
• Weather and Smoke: There is a 50% chance of thunderstorms and showers over the fire today. Hotter and dryer weather is forecasted this weekend and through early next week. Smoke will continue to be present as interior pockets of unburned fuels are consumed. For the most up to date smoke information, visit https://fire.airnow.gov/. If you are sensitive to smoke learn how to Protect Yourself from Smoke.
• Safety: The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the fire and surrounding areas remains in place.
• Current TFR map: Visit https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_5_6484. For the safety of our firefighters, please avoid the area where crews are working. Drones and firefighting aircraft do not mix well and could lead to accidents or slow down wildfire operations. If you fly, we can’t.
• Closures and Evacuations: Forest closure order 03-10-01-25-11 remains in place. To view the complete order and map visit, https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/santafe/alerts/laguna-wildfire-closure-order.

The order is to protect the public’s health and safety during firefighting operations on the Laguna Wildfire. Gallina Ranch and the Monastery of Christ in the Desert are in READY status.

More Information call 575.323.8964 or visit 2025.laguna@firenet.gov, x.com/SantafeNF, facebook.com/santafeNF, Inciweb-Laguna Wildfire or NM Fire Info.

Map of the Laguna Wildfire in the Coyote Ranger District, 8 miles north of N.M. 96 and west of the Chama River Canyon Wilderness. Courtesy/USFS