WILDLAND FIRE NEWS
The Luna Fire burning near Chacon is zero percent contained and has burned almost 9,000 acres. The started Oct. 17 and the cause is still under investigation. Some 4,350 structures are threatened by the fire.
As of Friday morning some 274 personnel were working on the fire. Resources include:
- 6 hand crews
- 7 dozers
- 2 water tenders
- 9 engines
- 4 helicopters
Current Situation: On Thursday, October 22, California Incident Management Team 5 assumed command of the Luna fire. Team 5 is grateful for all of the support it is receiving from local fire and law enforcement personnel and the surrounding communities.
Thursday’s strong winds were forecasted to impact the Luna Fire as a cold front moved through the area. Fortunately, the winds were not as strong as predicted and mainly affected the northern perimeter of the fire in the Rincon Mountains. Priorities for Friday continue to be structure protection in Luna, Lujan and Bull Canyons. Firefighters have constructed fire containment lines in Lujan and Luna Canyons and will begin mop up and patrol, looking for additional hotspots. Firefighters will also continue building containment lines on the east and west flanks of the fire using dozers, helicopters and airtankers. Fire activity is expected to increase in Bull and Frijoles Canyons as winds return to a southwesterly direction.
Weather: Friday, winds will be out of the southwest 12-15 mph with gusts to 18 mph, relative humidity at 19-23% and temperatures 58-63 degrees.
Evacuations: A Voluntary Evacuation Notice has been issued for the Luna Canyon area.
Fire Restrictions: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will be implemented starting today at 8:00 AM on the Carson National Forest to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires. For more information on fire restrictions visit www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/carson/alerts-notices.
Fire Closures: The Carson National Forest has issued a temporary closure (Forest Order 02-484) prohibiting the public from entering the area around the Luna Fire, including all National Forest System Lands, roads and trails affected by the fire. This closure includes access for hunting. For more information on the fire closure visit www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/carson/alerts-notices. A Temporary Flight Restriction over the fire remains in place.
Smoke Outlook: Friday’s weather and fuel conditions will lead to heavy smoke production along the north edge of the fire particularly in the afternoon. Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Cimarron, Springer and other communities east and northeast of the fire could experience periods of moderate smoke. Mora and Guadalupita may experience early morning heavy smoke due to overnight pooling but should be clear by noon. It is unlikely that smoke from the Luna fire will impact Taos or Santa Fe Friday.
Safety Message: Due to additional fire traffic, please slow down and watch your speed on roads around the Luna Fire Area.
Ready, Set, Go!: Wildfires can burn at any time, as we have seen with the Luna Fire, requiring firefighters and residents to be on heightened alert to respond to these emergencies. The Ready, Set, Go! Program works in collaboration with New Mexico’s Living with Fire and other existing community wildland fire education efforts to help residents prepare for a wildfire emergency. For more information on wildfire prevention and how you can prepare for wildfires, visit www.wildlandfirersg.org.
Cooperating Agencies: Picuris Pueblo Tribe, Taos Pueblo Tribe, Jicarilla Apache Nation, Sandia Pueblo Tribe, Sierra Bonita Rincon Fire Department, State of New Mexico County Fire Administrator, Angel Fire Department, Colfax County Fire, Colfax County Emergency Operations Manager, Taos County EMS, Taos County Fire, Taos Canyon, Rio Fernando District, Village of Chacon, Kit Carson Electric Co-op, Mora County Sheriff, New Mexico State Police, New Mexico Livestock Inspector, Colfax County Sheriff, Taos County Sheriff, New Mexico Game and Fish, Angel Fire Police, Mora San Miguel Electric Co-op, New Mexico Dept of Transportation, Tri-State Electric, Black Lake Community, Black Lake Ranch, Luna Canyon Cattle Company, Black Lake Cattle Association, Luna/Chacon Cattle Association.