EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Camp Fire that’s been burning in Lincoln County, New Mexico, for more than week is now 100 percent contained, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management said on Monday, June 2.
The fire was located in the Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area (NCA).
The fire started on Sunday, May 25, burned 877 acres and damaged five structures, the BLM said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The BLM said it will open the West Mesa and Red Tank roads on Tuesday, June 3.
Rob Jaggers Campground, Fort Stanton Cave Campground, the Fort Stanton Historical Site and N.M. Highway 220 opened previously.
The Pecos Zone Type-3 Incident Command Team transferred command of the fire to the BLM on Friday, May 30.
Nearly 150 fire personnel worked to subdue the fire. Although the fire is contained, hot spots may remain, and fire personnel will continue to monitor the situation, the BLM said.
Congress established the 25,080-acre NCA in 2009 to protect the unique and nationally important historic, cultural, scientific, archaeological, natural, and educational subterranean cave resources of Fort Stanton Cave and the Snowy River formation within it, the BLM said.
The State of New Mexico manages the Fort Stanton Historical Site within the NCA, which features buildings from the former Fort Stanton Military Reservation. In 1855, the U.S. Army established Fort Stanton as an infantry and cavalry post in the east-central New Mexico Territory to protect settlers in the region. The fire did not damage buildings in the main part of the historical site, but outlying structures, the BLM said.
The BLM Roswell District, Lincoln County and the N.M. Forestry Division are all under fire restrictions or a burn ban. Campfires of any kind (wood, charcoal, wood stoves), chainsaw use, smoking outdoors, operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and outdoor welding are all prohibited.
You can find additional information about fire restrictions at NM Fire Info | New Mexico Fire Information.
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