News

According to the National Forest Service (NFS), the Three Rivers Fire in the Lincoln National Forest (LNF) is now at 5,297 acres with 13% containment and the current state of the fire is “minimal and smoldering.”

While moisture in the area and crews battling the blazes have helped the fire dissipate, personnel “will continue to construct containment lines, scout lines, prep Bonito Road from South Fork camp ground to the Argentina Bonito Trailhead, recon structures and develop triage plans,” the NFS writes. 

Within the next 24 hours, high humidity levels will help stave off significant fire activity, however, an increase in fire activity is expected in “slash,” which is “downed large diameter woody material” in areas dominated by sheltered and canopied areas where precipitation is less likely to have permeated.

Within 72 hours, the fire is expected to “begin active movement upslope to the northeast on the southern portion of the fire within Indian Creek. Flanking movement to the north along the Crest Trail near Rattlesnake Canyon is also expected, but to a lesser extent due to a mixture of aspen fuels and previously burned areas to the east.”

The fire initially started approximately half a mile from the Three Rivers Campground on the backside of the White Mountains of the Smokey Bear Ranger District. 

The Three Rivers Fire has 266 personnel currently battling the blaze, and according to NPS, the containment date of the fire is projected for Friday, June 04th, 2021 at approximately 12:00 a.m. 

An update was given yesterday by Todd Abel, an operations section chief managing the containment of the fire, which can be viewed here. The most updated information on the fire can be found here.

According to the National Forest Service (NFS), the Three Rivers Fire in the Lincoln National Forest has grown from 6,100 to 12,000 acres, with 5% of the fire contained. The fire started approximately half a mile from the Three Rivers Campground on the backside of the White Mountains of the Smokey Bear Ranger District. 

NFS lists the resources used to battle the blaze includes eight engines, six type-one crews, one type-two crew, two helicopters, one bulldozer, and one water tender. Total personnel fighting the fire has reached 210. 

The Forest service reports that an infrared (IR) flight was requested for Tuesday night “to pick up heat, which can then be used to map out the fire perimeter and the perimeter of any additional spot fires.”

On Tuesday morning, cooler temperatures and some snow and rain allowed firefighters to work to construct a fire line on the south end of the fire throughout the day. “Cloud cover began to lift mid-day, which resulted in increased fire behavior and smoke. Crews also continued scouting the rough terrain of the White Mountain Wilderness for potential fire line locations,” writes NFS.

“There are no reported injuries, and no structures have burned. The fire crossed onto Mescalero Apache Tribal Land at the northern border.  Mescalero and the Forest Service are now working in conjunction on fire management activities.”

“Firefighters’ challenges in the coming days are the extremely rugged terrain and limited road and trail access in the fire area. The Type-1 Incident Management Team (IMT) was briefed this afternoon and will take command of the fire tomorrow at 6 am. A Type -1 IMT is a multi-agency team that is dispatched to complex incidents. They include specialized personnel trained in the different functional areas (i.e., operations, logistics, medical staff, radio communications, etc.) needed to support a wildfire.  Incident Management Teams are typed from one to three, with one being the largest and most advanced.”

Evacuations: Evacuation notices have been lifted for these areas: • Nogal Canyon Area (until the Nogal Peak Trailhead) • Bonito Canyon Area up to the Bonito Lake Dam. Tanbark remains evacuated. • Church Mountain • Ranchman’s Camp • Loma Grande • Cora Dutton • Magado • Ski Apache Up to the Eagle Lakes turn • Villa Madonna.

Evacuation centers are still available: • Nazarene Church Camp at 200 Bonito Park Rd. Alto, NM 88316 • Capitan Senior Center at 412 Tiger Drive Capitan, NM 88316 • Ruidoso Downs Senior Center at 393 Highway 70 West Rd. Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346.

(Evacuees with livestock can take their animals to Lincoln County Fairgrounds at 101 5th St. Capitan, NM. Please call 575-336-8600 if you need assistance transporting your animals.)

Road Closures: • Bonito Canyon Road past the Bonito Lake Dam • Nogal Canyon Road past the Nogal Peak trailhead • Three Rivers Trailhead and Campground • Monjeau Lookout at Sierra Vista

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

On Monday morning, a fire, which is being called the “Three Rivers Fire” of 2021 started in the Lincoln National Forest. According to officials, the blaze has already enveloped 6,100 acres, starting approximately half a mile from the Three Rivers Campground on the backside of the White Mountains of the Smokey Bear Ranger District. On Monday morning, the fire was reported to be at 4,000 acres.

The fire is “being driven by steep terrain and extreme fire weather conditions, including gusty winds and low humidity levels around 8 percent,” says the National Forest Service. The fire has spread almost to Ski Apache and into the South Fork area.

“The fire is 0 percent contained. Firefighters, aircraft, and equipment are on scene. Additional firefighting resources, including three additional large air tankers and ground crews, have been ordered and will be arriving as soon as possible. A Type-1 Incident Management Team was ordered this afternoon, will be in-briefed tomorrow, and take command thereafter. There have been no reported injuries. No structures have burned.” 

“Smoke was highly visible from Highway 54 and is moving to the northeast into the adjacent communities of Alto, Capitan, and Ruidoso. Please visit the NM Department of Health’s smoke page for information on protecting your health during fires and on smoky days,” writes the Forest Service.

There is currently no known cause of the fire at this time, but an update is expected mid-morning on Tuesday with more information. As for now, those in the area should take heed of the following evacuation areas and centers, as well as the following road closures:

Evacuations: Evacuation notices are in place for:

• Nogal Canyon Area

• Bonito Canyon Area

• Tanbark

• Church

• Ranchman’s Camp

• Loma Grande

• Cora Dutton

• Magado

• Ski Apache

Evacuation Centers

• Nazarean Church Camp, 200 Bonito Park Rd. Alto, NM 88316

• Capitan Senior Center at 412 Tiger Drive Capitan, NM 88316

• Ruidoso Downs Senior Center at 393 Highway 70 West Rd. Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346.

(Evacuees with livestock can take their animals to Lincoln County Fairgrounds at 101 5th St. Capitan, NM.)

Road Closures

• Ski Run Road

• Bonito Canyon Road aka Rd 107

• Nogal Canyon Road aka 400

• Three Rivers Trailhead and Campground

Following news of the blaze, public officials representing the area made it clear they are working with fire officials to [aid] in any way necessary. Republican Congresswoman Yvette Herrell wrote, “My staff and I are closely monitoring the Three Rivers Fire and staying in regular contact with the USDA, USFS, state, and local officials. Our prayers are with those fighting the fire as well as those in its path. Stay safe, heed the warnings and orders from authorities, and be prepared to relocate quickly if necessary. Please also beware of unconfirmed information about the situation, and follow official sources like U.S. Forest Service – Lincoln National Forest, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and nmfireinfo.com for the latest reliable and factual updates.” 

To follow the latest information on the Three Rivers Fire, please follow the National Forest Service’s official page for the blaze on Facebook here.