Single Publication

Midnight Fire June 12, 2022, Daily Update, 08:00 AM

Acres: 3,478 | Containment: 0% | Total personnel: 202 | Start Date: June 9, 2022| Cause: Under Investigation | Location:  4.5 miles NNE of El Rito in Rio Arriba County | Fuels: Heavy mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, brush, and grass 

Highlights: Southwest Area Incident Management Team 1 assumed command of the Midnight Fire at 7:00 a.m. today.

Operations: Following an infrared flight and better mapping overnight the acreage is now reported at 3,478 acres with no containment. Yesterday firefighters worked to secure the anchor on the southwest corner of the fire while also looking for the best opportunities to engage. Fire managers observed growth of the fire to both the south and east. Ground resources were reinforced with aviation assets throughout the day including 13 helicopters, four super scooper amphibious air tankers, eight air tankers, and two very-large air tankers (VLATs) using both water and retardant. Structure protection efforts took place in Potrero Canyon.  

Today resources from the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires will continue to support firefighting efforts as additional resources are ordered and logistical support can be established closer to the incident. Fire managers will scout for opportunities to engage the fire using both ground and aviation resources, looking for the best opportunities to begin to establish containment lines while providing for public and firefighter safety.  

Evacuations: The community of Potrero, just south of where the fire started, has been put under a GO evacuation status by the Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Office. Valle de los Caballos are also in GO status. No other areas are under an evacuation status at this time. The community of El Rito along with the town of Placitas, Petaca and State Road 519 is on READY status. Vallectio community is on SET Status. In the event of evacuation, the Abiquiu Rural Event Center has been identified as an evacuation center. Evacuees will use State Road 554 as an evacuation route.  For emergency alerts in Rio Arriba County, sign up here: https://local.nixle.com/signup/widget/i/6807.  

Weather: Continued hot and dry weather will persist today and through the weekend bringing Red Flag weather conditions on Monday. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-80s with a 15-40% relative humidity and a small chance of isolated thunderstorms. Winds will be out of the west-northwest today with sustained winds around 13 mph and gusts to 25 mph.

Air Quality: Complimentary mobile HEPA air filter units are available to nearby smoke sensitive residents. They can be checked out at the El Rito Ranger Station. Call 575.581.4554 to reserve a mobile HEPA air filter. The units are courtesy of the Forest Stewards Guild and the Carson National Forest.

Closures and Restrictions: The Carson National Forest has been under Stage 3 fire restrictions, which closes the Forest, since May 17.

Fire Information: Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM | Phone: 505-445-3203 | Email: 2022.midnight@firenet.gov Online: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/news/8147/  | https://www.facebook.com/CarsonNF