EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — For the third straight day, a wildfire burning on Mescalero Apache land has remained at about 800 acres, according to the fire command team in an update issued on Sunday morning, June 22.
The Seven Springs Fire, burning outside of Mescalero, New Mexico, remains at 805 acres, fire officials said.
It remains 0 percent contained, however.
There are a total of 256 firefighters on scene, battling the blaze in a remote area of the Mescalero Apache tribal land called Nogal Canyon.
Resources include 10 crews, 18 fire engines, three helicopters, two water tenders, one bulldozer and one excavator.
The fire originally started on Tuesday, June 17.
“Near critical fire weather conditions” impacted the fire area Saturday, testing firelines that resources constructed in the days prior, fire officials said.
Crews can expect increased humidity over the fire area Sunday with greater potential for rain Monday and Tuesday, fire officials said.
Saturday, firefighters faced challenging winds and low humidity as conditions tested their lines, fire officials said.
From the northeast to the southeast corners of the fire, personnel successfully secured existing spot fires, as well as located a few new spots in the area. Crews also worked towards closing gaps in handline from the southern to western portions of the fire.
On the western to northeastern front, fireline has been secured and mop-up operations are underway, fire officials said.
“With increased humidities last night, today, and greater potential for rainfall tomorrow,
resources will be directing their efforts towards additional mop-up operations, dozer line rehabilitation, and securing hot spots along the northeastern line,” fire officials said.
A Burned Area Emergency Response team (BAER) is mobilizing and consists of trained professionals who will determine if stabilization efforts are necessary to combat excessive rain runoff.
The BAER team will concentrate on long-term rehabilitation efforts in heavily burned and/or particularly steep areas, fire officials said.
Weather patterns will shift Sunday, allowing a slight increase in relative humidity and a several degree dip in temperatures with isolated to scattered showers/storms in the afternoon. Temperatures will be 76 to 84 degree range with relative humidity increasing to 25-30%. Winds will be southwest at 7-12 mph and could be gusty and erratic from near and distant storms, fire officials said.
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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