Rooster Fire Detected - Mountainair Ranger District

Rooster Fire Detected on the

Mountainair Ranger District

Approximately 17 Fire personnel from the Mountainair Ranger District as well as the Mt. Taylor Hot Shots and Apache Kid fire crew are working on suppression of the Rooster Fire which was detected Tuesday afternoon. The Rooster fire is approximately 5-6 acres in size and is burning in mixed conifer. It is located in an extremely rugged area just west of the Manzano Crest Trail near Gallo Peak. The cause of this fire is undetermined at this time but we do know there was a lightning storm that passed through this area on Friday, September 28.

Weather challenges are expected this afternoon on the West side of the Manzano Mountains as a front moves through the area. The winds are predicted to gust to up to 40mph with low relative humidities. Wind conditions should improve after today with a cold front expected to raise humidities through the weekend. A helicopter has been brought in to aid firefighters in shuttling gear, food and water to this very remote and rugged part of the mountain.

The Wester (A1) Prescribed Burn that was planned for today has been postponed. A decision will be made later today as to if and when the burn will occur. Members of the Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) Veterans Green Corps who are currently on the Mountainair Ranger District to assist with the Wester Burn will remain in place and could assist in the fire suppression efforts of the Rooster Fire if necessary. They are currently working on reinforcing fire lines on prescribed burn areas planned for later in the fall and winter.

For further information about the Rooster Fire or the Wester (A1) Prescribed Burn, please contact the Mountainair Ranger district at 505-847-2990 or email atperea@fs.fed.us. (Torrance County)

New Wildfire Email Alert System

New wildfire alert system touted

(Click Here) New email notification system announced  (Click Here)

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Wildfire season is already here, and this year is expected to be a bad one. 

State Forestry officials unveiled an added layer of security for residents who live in the fire zones.New Mexico is rolling out a new wildfire email notification system.

"Prompt and accurate information can save lives," said New Mexico State Forester Tony Delfin.

That information will now come in the form of an email that will give critical information to displaced families and the rest of the public fast.  "There are going to be frequent updates with information about the status of the fire, is it growing, are there homes or businesses in harm's way," said Gov. Susana Martinez.

Governor Martinez says they saw the need when talking to worried evacuees from the Las Conchas fire last year.  "They wanted information and they wanted it constantly," said Governor Martinez.  Officials say that means the evacuees will have vital information, right at their fingertips, be it on their phones, their computers or anything else that gets email. 

In the last two years combined, New Mexico has seen 1,440 wildfires that have burnt more than a million acres. New Mexico is bracing for a busy fire season given the drought conditions that are spreading across the region.