Big Spring Fire Structure Loss Announced and Partial Evacuation Lifted

Estancia, NM - June 28, 2008… Torrance County emergency management officials have confirmed that six residences and ten outbuildings have burned in and around Apache Canyon within the Big Spring Fire. Of the six homes that were destroyed, four were permanent residences, one was a part-time residence, and the residential status of one home is unknown.

Those home owners were individually notified by the County this afternoon. If you live in the evacuated areas near the fire and you were not contacted by the County, your structures have not been affected by the fire. Residents can call Torrance County Emergency Management at 505-384-9634 if they are unsure of the status of their property.

The evacuations for the areas accessed by and east of Road AO15 have been lifted. Road AO15 is open to travel. Areas west of Road AO15 remain closed. Highway 337 is also open.

Cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and rainfall on the fire assisted firefighters with suppression efforts today. Significant fireline construction boosted containment to 65 percent. Southwest Area Incident Management Team personnel expect to have the fire 100% contained by July 1.



Estimated Acreage: 5,580 acres

Containment: 65%

Total Personnel: 542

Estimated Containment Date: July 1, 2008

Jurisdictional Agencies: USFS, Torrance County EOC, NM State Forestry

Restrictions and closures:

• Village of Tajique
• Sherwood Forest Subdivision
• Forest Valley Subdivision
• Fourth of July Campground
• Forest Service Road 55
• NM Highway 55 on North and South ends of Tajique