EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Seven Springs Fire, which is burning on Mescalero Apache land, has reached 66 percent containment as of Tuesday afternoon, June 24, according to an update from the Southwest Area Incident Management Team.
The fire is still at around 800 acres, with over 300 personnel working on the fire.
The cause of the fire was discovered to be lightning, and only two crews, four engines, and one helicopter are currently helping with the fire, according to the incident management team.
The fire area received some precipitation overnight, and crews were able to make additional progress with mop-up and rehabilitation missions, which increased the containment.
The incident management team will be transferring command to the Mescalero Agency at 7 a.m. Wednesday morning, June 25.
“Yesterday, resources continued mop-up efforts all the way around the fire and crews completed
up to a full-chain (66ft) of depth in their mop-up operations on the northwest and southeast flanks, achieving containment in those areas. On the southwestern corner, firefighters worked steep slopes and were pushed out by weather but still obtained additional depth with mop-up tactics. Resources on the northeast flank diligently secured hot spots and mitigated priority areas along the line, further increasing containment in Nogal Canyon,” the incident management team said.
The fire originally started on Tuesday, June 17.
Residents can expect to see smoke from the fire. Any smoke in the morning will likely be confined to drainages in the immediate fire area before afternoon winds develop, pushing smoke north. You can learn more about smoke conditions here.
The interior and unimproved dirt roads of the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation are currently
closed to non-residents and unpermitted persons due to Stage 3 Fire Restrictions in place.
A temporary flight restriction has been issued over the fire area. It is illegal to fly drones within the area.
Charcoal grills and campfires are not allowed, except for dwellings with fireplaces or wood-burning stoves equipped with proper screens. Fireworks are never permitted.
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