Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management Team
Jamie Long – Incident Commander
Fire Information: (505) 663-6334
2021.poso@firenet.gov
Poso Fire Update – June 13, 2021
EL RITO, NM – June 13, 2021 – As aerial and hand ignitions continue, there will be an increase of smoke in the area. Smoke may hang low to the ground at night and in the early
mornings the next few days due to the weather phenomenon known as temperature inversion. This occurs when warm air caps the cooler air below it causing smoke to become trapped underneath which will settle into the valley bottoms—most often at night and in the early morning. The trapped smoke generally begins to lift after the sun rises and heats the earth’s surface. The air heated by the earth’s surface will push the colder layer of smoke up into the higher atmosphere and the smoke mixes with the air above and is transported away. Smoke in the air can also be affected by wind speed and direction. If heavy smoke is present, those who are more vulnerable should take precautions such as staying inside and avoiding prolonged outside activity.
Start date: May 29, 2021
Location: Carson NF, El Rito Ranger District, 10 miles north of El Rito, adjacent to FR123
Cause: Lightning Size: 1450 acres Percent Contained: 18%
Resources: 2 hand crews, 1 wildland fire module, 3 Type 6 engines, 1 Type 3 helicopter, 1 dozer, 1 masticator, 1 grader, 2 water tenders, 1 ambulance, 1 Rapid Extraction Module (REM) Team, 1 unmanned aerial system (drone)
Fuels: Ponderosa pine and mixed conifer
Operations: Firefighters successfully implemented hand firing of the northern edge of the fire perimeter. This operation has added depth to the containment line and will increase success of holding the fire within the perimeter. Dozer operations in the south side of the fire have been making great progress in reinforcing the fire line on the north side of Middle Fork. This containment line will cut off southward progression of the fire. Unmanned Aerial System (drone) reconnaissance flights revealed spot fires that were quickly suppressed on the northeast corner of the fire.
Weather: Mostly sunny, 20% chance of rain, maximum temperatures of 84 to 87 degrees in the higher elevation 88 to 92 in the lower elevation, minimum humidity 6 to 11%, south winds 5 to 6 mph shifting to the southwest 6 to 12 mph in the afternoon. Gusty and erratic winds expected near thunderstorms in the afternoon.
Values at risk: Vallecitos watershed, cultural and historical sites.
Smoke: As fire increases in size and firing operations commence, smoke may be visible from the communities of Abiquiu, Canjilon, Cañon Plaza, Vallecitos, La Madera, El Rito, Ojo Caliente, Petaca, Las Tablas and Tres Piedras which may continue to show for several days. For information on air quality and protecting your health, please visit https://nmtracking.org/fire. The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. For information on the HEPA filter loan program, go to https://facnm.org/smoke/ or contact the El Rito Ranger District 575-581-4554.
A Temporary 24-Hour Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire. Unauthorized use of unmanned aircraft (also known as “drones”) in a fire area endangers the lives of pilots and firefighters and is strictly forbidden. Never fly unmanned aircraft over or near a wildfire whether there is a TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) in effect or not. Visit https://www.nifc.gov/drones and Know Before You Go for more information on drones and wildfires.
Fire updates will be posted on the Carson NF Website, New Mexico Fire Information website, Inciweb and on the Carson Facebook and Twitter.
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Poso Fire Update