Big Spring Fire Fully Contained

Big Spring Fire Fully Contained

Estancia, NM – July 2, 2008, 8:00 am… The Big Spring Fire, which was reported on June 24, 2008, has been declared 100% contained. The total acreage of the fire has been decreased to 5,478 due to more accurate mapping. The cause of the fire was determined to be lightning. The recent good work by firefighters on the fire have helped lesson the possibility of the fire escaping the perimeter lines that are in place. This fire has not been declared controlled, which means that areas within the perimeter of the fire may smoke occasionally, but none of the possible smokes are expected to challenge the fire perimeter. Mountainair Ranger District fire personnel will take over the incident at 6:00 p.m. on July 3, 2008, and will continue rehabbing and mopping up as necessary.

This will be the last news release sent out about the Big Spring Fire by the Southwest Area Incident Management Team.

We thank you all for your support and understanding. Future updates about this fire will be issued by the Mountainair Ranger District. If you need information about this fire starting Thursday, July 3, 2008, please direct your inquiries to Arlene Perea at the Mountainair office (505) 847-2990.

The public is reminded that the Mountainair Ranger District is in stage III fire restrictions (partial closure) which prohibits entry onto Forest Service land. Due to this closure, Forest Road 55 is closed to the public except from Forest Road 55 to the junction of Forest Road 321 on the north side, and from Forest Road 55 to the Trail Canyon Trailhead on the south side.

For information about fire restrictions on the Cibola National Forest visit the forest website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/cibola/


Estimated Acreage: 5,478 acres
Containment: 100%
Total Personnel: 345
Containment Date: July 1, 2008
Jurisdictional Agencies: USDA FS, Torrance County EOC, NM State Forestry

Restrictions and closures:
Forest Valley Subdivision (closed to non-residents)
Fourth of July Campground (Forest closure area)
Forest Service Road 55 (see narrative above)