Three Archuleta County properties continued to be in pre-evacuation notice as of Wednesday morning due to the Middle Mesa Fire burning in northern New Mexico.
According to the Archuleta County Sheriff Office’s emergency management commander, Roy Vega Jr., as of Wednesday morning, the fire remained in New Mexico and had not crossed into Colorado.
“It’s close, but not there,” he said.
The Middle Mesa Fire is a lightning-caused wildfire on the Jicarilla Ranger District of the Carson National Forest in New Mexico, according to InciWeb, with the fire beginning the morning of Aug. 1.
The site explains, “Ground and air resources are working to suppress the fire, which is burning in a remote area where natural gas infrastructure, such as wells and pipelines, is located.”
On Wednesday morning, Aug. 6, Southwest Area Complex Incident Management Team 3 took over management of the fire.
Vega noted that, as of that team’s 9:32 a.m. Wednesday update, the fire was listed at 3,213 acres and zero percent containment.
He relayed that, according to the update, 157 personnel are on the fire, including three crews, 19 engines, three helicopters, four bulldozers and two water tenders.
He added that, per the update, the resources on the fire would be continuing with their full-suppression strategy on Wednesday using both indirect and direct tactics across the perimeter.
He added that firefighters would also be continuing with burning operations along the southeast side in Carracas Canyon.
He added that, on the north side, the report indicates the fire is holding along Carson National Forest Road 218A.
He further indicated that, according to the report, the Wednesday night shift would be scouting for opportunities to conduct additional burnout operations as conditions allow.
Vega noted the fire area has been receiving the same gusty and erratic winds as the Pagosa Springs area.
InciWeb noted that fire managers have requested that the public avoid the northern reaches of the ranger district where the fire is burning for safety of themselves and fire crews.
Vega echoed the sentiment that people should stay out of the area and cautioned that no one should set up any drones in the area because it will shut down all air operations and come with penalties.
He further encouraged trying to reduce the amount of traffic going down County Road 500 because a lot of fire vehicles are using that road.
Vega noted the area will continue to see the drift smoke from the Middle Mesa Fire, as well as multiple other fires in the region.
Of the three Archuleta County properties in pre-evacuation status, two have residences with people, he explained.
“As we’re moving forward, we’re getting closer and closer to out of the woods for those three [properties],” Vega said.
Vega further explained that successful burnout operations were completed in the area closest to Colorado earlier this week.
“What that means is they’re utilizing a holding feature that’s already in place,” he said, explaining they work to reduce fuels along that holding feature and, when temperatures and relative humidity allow, crews put fire on the ground along the holding feature so that fire will work toward the main fire and “then now you have a solid black edge” that works as a holding feature or containment line.
Community notification system
Archuleta County utilizes Nixle, a community notification system, to disseminate “localized emergency situations and relevant community advisories.”
To sign up for Nixle, visit https://www.archuletacounty.gov/services/citizens-alert-nixle/.
randi@pagosasun.com
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