A sleeper fire from a lightning strike five days ago is under attack in the Manzano Wilderness as are five widely scattered fires newly reported in the Gila National Forest.
The Manzano fire, dubbed the Big Jeffrey Fie, was reported about 1:30 p.m. Friday and is believed to be from a smoldering lightning strike left by a storm on Sunday that finally burst into flame, a spokesperson for the Cibola National Forest said.
The fire is estimated at 0.25 acre and is west of the Manzano Crest Trail and south of its junction with the Red Canyon Trail.
Three single-engine aerial tankers have been dropping retardant around the fire as ground crews hike in from Red Canyon.
Four of the five fires in the Gila also are reported to be small, and all likely were caused by lightning. Two are in the northern part of the Gila Wilderness, two near Emory Pass in the southeast corner of the forest and one near State Route 32 near Glenwood.
One of the northern fires about 40 miles north of Silver City was reported late Friday to have grown to about 40 acres. It is threatening one structure on a ranch, according to a forest spokesperson.
Three air tankers are working that fire, and two ground crews and a team of smoke jumpers are on their watch.
For more on all Wildfires in New Mexico click here: https://nmfireinfo.com/
The danger of fire has officials in the Albuquerque metro area taking extra precautions.
On Friday the city of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County announced they’re closing most of the Rio Grande bosque and Sandia Mountains foothills and all of five open-space areas in the East Mountains. (See details at bottom of this story)
The Albuquerque Fire Department announced all of the bosque except for designated trails is closed and everything in the Sandia Ranger District except for the Sandia Peak tram and the Tijeras Pueblo.
The lack of rain, extreme fire danger and recent fires have officials taking precautionary measures.
This is one of the driest years on record and it wouldn’t take much wind and a spark to cause a major disaster.
“The factors we use to track our fire dangers are just about to the max we’ve ever recorded,” said Sandia Fire Management Officer Matt Rau.
Albuquerque Fire Chief James Breen is asking everyone to be on alert and to report any suspicious activity.
The closures will begin Monday at 8 .am.
Anyone caught in the Albuquerque bosque after that time on an unmarked trail could face a $500 fine.
Basically officials want everyone to stay out of the forest and mountain areas and stick to developed trails in the bosque and Sandia areas.
There have been closures of the bosque each of the last two years. North and south of Albuquerque the bosque under control of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District is totally closed to public access from Cochiti Dam to Elephant Butte Lake.
City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County Friday announcement:
Under the partial closure, citizens may still use the levee roads and established trails in the Bosque and Foothills. Citizens should not be off the established trails.
“The use of our citizens is part of the city’s Bosque preservation and Fire Prevention strategy.” Fire Chief James Breen said. “Limited public access maintains a human presence to report fires in the early stages, report suspicious activity and prohibited activities.”
Bernalillo County is closing the following East Mountain open space areas on Monday:
- Carlito Springs
- Ojito de San Antonio
- Sabino Canyon
- Sedillo Ridge
- Sandia Knolls
Bosque and Foothill Area Rules
- Stay on established paths and levee roads
- Use of river is allowed if access to river is accomplished through established paths and levee roads.
- Remain on alert.
- Citizens cannot access Cibola National Forest and Grasslands wilderness from city open space areas.
- Report suspicious activity to 505-242-COPS
- Report any fires or other emergencies to 911
Open Burning Ban
- Open burning has been banned in public and private outdoor areas within the municipal boundaries of the City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County. Examples include but are not limited to:
- Open burning
- Bonfires
- Recreational fires
- Use of model rockets
- Open flame devices
- Burning may be done in an enclosed chamber devices such as cooking/outdoor grills
