Crews Mop Up Monday At Two Fires In Abiquiu Area

BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com

The 140 Fire in the community of Abiquiu was 60 percent contained Monday with mopping up activities being conducted to secure the perimeter of the fire. No structures are threatened and there have been no evacuations.

The fire was reported around 2 p.m. Saturday and burned some 30 acres on both sides of the Rio Chama River. A garage and a well house burned and there was damage to two residences. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

A second fire, the Rio Fire, in the same area was 80 percent contained as of Monday. It was caused by ditch burning and grew to some 40 acres.

Fire officials say smoke may continue to be seen in the Abiquiu area and that people 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. See https://nmtracking.org/environment/air/FireAndSmoke.html.