NM Forestry Division fire update: Black Feather fire has 0% containment

The Black Feather Fire northwest of Santa Fe was still without containment as of Monday, according to the New Mexico Forestry Division.

The fire was 2,198 acres with 0% containment. The Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Office is monitoring the communities of Mesa Pinebeta, Mesa Poleo and Wetherill in case evacuations become necessary.

Rain, high humidity and cooler temperatures contributed to a reduction in fire behavior, the Forestry Division said. On Monday, firefighters continued to improve containment lines around the fire through fuel reduction, chipping and hauling out the large volume of timber slash created while building the lines.

Some 480 personnel are fighting the fire, including seven hotshot crews, two hand crews, 12 engines, four helicopters, four dozers, four water tenders, numerous fixed-wing aircraft, and an infrared drone capable of mapping and identifying hot spots, the Forestry Division said.

A community meeting to provide updates is planned for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Coronado High School in Gallina and will be live-streamed on the Black Feather Fire Facebook page.

More smoke may be visible in the area over the next several days as active smoldering is taking place. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Air quality information is available at airnow.gov.

Some other updates, per the Forestry Division:

246: Started Thursday north of Capitan off Highway 246 near Shippy Ranch. As of Monday, the fire was 27.7 acres and 65% contained. This weekend, crews were able to establish and secure containment lines while beginning mop-up in the perimeter. There are no evacuations or road closures.

Hart Canyon: In Colfax County, north of Philmont Scout Ranch. Started by lightning on Wednesday, it is burning in mixed conifer and ponderosa pine. It’s 17 acres and 80% contained.

West: Lightning–started on Aug. 1, on the Double H Ranch west of Magdalena, the fire is 200 acres and at 50% containment.

American Mesa: 386 acres and 71% contained as of Monday. The wildfire is 15 miles southwest of Dulce.

Turkey Fire: 9 miles northeast of Cliff, it remains at an estimated at 5,220 acres with 0% containment. Road and trail closures remain in place and the public is asked to avoid the area. The described roads are all of NFSR 282 and all of NFSR 876. The Described Trails are the entire length of the Goose Lake Trail #238 and Dorsey Canyon Trail #239.

Individuals sensitive to wildfire smoke should take precautions and use the New Mexico Department of Health 5-3-1 Visibility Method to determine if it’s safe to be outside. Learn more at nmtracking.doh.nm.gov/environment/air/FireAndSmoke.html. An interactive smoke map at fire.airnow.gov allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.