3,626 acres, 95% containment 222 personnel, 8 miles south of Coyote NM.
Today’s Actions: The Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed management of the Diego Fire yesterday evening. A community meeting was held at the Coyote Elementary School with 35 local residents in attendance. Plans for the Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER) team were discussed. Maria Garcia, Santa Fe National Forest Supervisor, addressed the plan for an After Action Review (AAR) to be conducted by an impartial team once the fire is contained.
Crews will continue suppression activities today by mopping-up, within 300 feet of the fire’s edge. Assessment and removal of hazard trees along Forest Roads 103 and 316 will also continue. Scattered smokes may be visible for the next few days. There is slightly more heat in the mixed conifer stands, however, this should dissipate as remaining fuels burn out. With the expected influx of moisture the next few days, 100% containment is expected by Wednesday, at 6:00 p.m.
Fire Area Closure is still in effect. Roadblocks within the Fire Area include:
o At the junction of Forest Road 103 and Forest Road 93
o At the junction of Forest Road 103 and Forest Road 315
o At the junction of Forest Road 316 and Forest Road 453
Road Closures Still in Effect:
To ensure both fire fighter and public safety, an area closure is still in effect; the closure order can be viewed at this link: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/3916/22208/. Access to private land within the area closure is subject to the prohibitions and exemptions described in the Diego Fire Area Closure Order. Persons wanting to access their private land must contact the Coyote District Office (575) 638-5526 for authorization to be within the closed area.
Weather: Sunny with partly cloudy skies during the afternoon. A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms is possible with wind gusts up to 45 mph. Temperatures are expected to be slightly above normal with maximum at 80-85 degrees and humidity at 21% to 25%.
Safety Message: Avoid being in the burned area following a wildfire. Fire weakens trees that have burned and can cause them to fall over or to have branches break off with even the slightest wind. Rolling rocks are also a hazard. Runoff from rainstorms can cause flooding and erosion. Avoid crossing any high water on forest roads. Burned tree roots and stumps may result in “stumpholes” that retain hot embers even weeks after the fire is out. It is easy to strain or break an ankle with a single misstep.
Information for this fire, including maps and photos, can be found at:
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3916/
http://nmfireinfo.com, (575) 638-0081