UPDATE 6/11 6a: As crews battle the Jaroso Fire burning in the Pecos Wilderness, the safety of firefighters is a top concern. Rappelling fire-fighters were pulled off the fire last night because of extreme fire behavior. There are no structures at risk and the fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain. High winds have fanned the flames and dead and downed trees are fuel. The fire is expected to grow to 1000 acres by this morning. And this from yesterday: Jemez area fire: Officials reopened N.M. 4 near La Cueva Monday morning and reported that rainfall in the Jemez Mountains over the weekend had helped slow the Thompson Ridge Fire. Fire officials also lifted the evacuation order for Thompson Ridge, Rancho de la Cueva and Elk Valley at 4 p.m. Forest Service Road 105 remains closed to traffic north of Thompson Ridge at the intersection with Valles Caldera National Preserve Road 08. A pre-evacuation notice remains in effect for the Bennett Subdivision, according to fire officials. The fire has burned about 21,089 acres in the Valles Caldera National Preserve and is about 40 percent contained, according to a new report from the Arizona Central West Zone Incident Management Team. Pecos fire: N.M. 63 was still closed and people who live north of Windy Bridge in the Pecos Canyon were still unable to return home Monday morning due to the Tres Lagunas fire. The fire is 10,185 acres and 60 percent contained, but incident commander John Pierson said there were still “a lot of moving parts.” He said he wants to keep the amount of traffic on N.M. 63 light so fire vehicles and the utility companies that are sending crews to repair power and phone lines can get through. In addition, he said he wants to ensure hot spots within the fire boundary don’t pose a threat to residences in the canyon’s upper reaches. Monday was expected to be hot, dry, and windy, increasing the potential level of fire activity. During the early days of the fire, high winds blew embers a mile or two away from the main body of the blaze. Fewer personnel were on the Tres Lagunas blaze Monday as firefighters and support staff were sent to other fires. Officials are warning Pecos residents and those returning to the canyon to be aware of bears that have been spotted in the area.--
Posted on: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 18:00:50 +0000