Single Publication

Bear Trap Fire Update
 May 24, 2022

Acres: 26,128 acres              

Containment: 28%

Cause: Undetermined

Total Personnel: 563           

Start Date:  May 1, 2022

Location: San Mateo Mountains, Magdalena Ranger District, Socorro County, NM

Fuels: Pine, Pinyon-Juniper and Grass

Highlights: The California Interagency Incident Management Team 10 assumed command of the fire this morning with Incident Commander Eric Petterson. The Southwest Area Incident Management 4 will be leaving today after transferring command. A daily operational briefing video explaining details of the Bear Trap Fire operations will continue on the Cibola National Forest Facebook page. A Red Flag Warning is in effect this afternoon and early evening.

Operations: Firefighters were successful last night and yesterday holding and reinforcing control lines. Today in the northern area of the fire crews will continue to mop up, patrol, and backhaul excess equipment. In the southwest portion of the fire, crews will be slowly bringing fire downhill with low intensity toward the road system where control lines are in place. In anticipation of northwest winds, firefighters will be in place in the southeast area of the fire to ensure control lines are not compromised. Increased smoke may become visible as the fire aligns in drainages and makes uphill runs within the perimeter and control lines. A night shift will continue to patrol this area to ensure that fire does not spread or ignite outside the perimeter.      

Weather: A Red Flag Warning is in effect today for strong gusty west-northwest winds and low relative humidity. Stronger west-northwest wind will begin late morning and become strong and gusty throughout the afternoon. The combination of strong winds and very low humidity will result in critical fire weather conditions through the afternoon and early evening before winds die down shortly after sunset. This cooler airmass will trend temperatures a few degrees lower, while afternoon humidity again will fall below 10 percent.     

Closures and Restrictions: The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands (NF & NGs) have now issued an updated fire area, road and trail closure (No. 03-0728) to protect public health and safety during fire operations on the Bear Trap Fire. This closure order expands the previous closure area to provide for continued firefighter safety during wildland fire suppression and emergency operations. This order supersedes the previous order No. 03-0726. Based on high fire danger and severe fire weather conditions, the Cibola NF & NGs have also implemented Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on the Magdalena Ranger District (No. 03-0724). Both closure orders and maps are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/cibola/alerts-notices.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public should stay away from Bear Trap Fire operations. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes unmanned aircraft, or drones. More information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground can be found at https://www.nifc.gov/drones/.