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Mestenas Canyon Fire

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  • wildfire Wildfire
  • prescribed fire Prescribed Fire
  • burned area emergency response Burned Area Response
  • other type Other

Mestenas Canyon Fire

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Unit Information

Carson National Forest 
208 Cruz Alta Road 
Taos, 
New Mexico 
87571 
Carson National Forest 
208 Cruz Alta Road 
Taos, 
New Mexico 
87571 

Incident Contacts

Zach Behrens
Email: zachary.behrens@usda.gov
Phone: 505-216-6793

Fire burns in the understory of a smoky pine forest.
Expand Image: [ Full Size ]
Fire burns in the understory of a smoky pine forest.

Fire crews are working to suppress the lightning-caused Mestenas Canyon Fire, which is named after the canyon its burning deep within. It’s about 10 miles southwest of Dulce, N.M., on the Jicarilla Ranger District and two miles north of Highway 64. 

Due to rocky, steep terrain and numerous snags on the canyon bottom, fire crews will use suppression action points to contain the fire as it spreads. Efforts may include cutting line on the fire’s edge or using backfire off existing roads to reduce fuels ahead of approaching flames.

There may be limited visibility on Highway 64 due to smoke.

Basic Information
Current as of Thu, 08/01/2024 - 14:19
Incident Time Zone America/Denver
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Lightning
Date of Origin
Location Mestenas Canyon (2 miles north of mile marker 110 on Highway 64)
Incident Commander Lorenzo Velasquez
Coordinates 36° 45' 29'' Latitude
-107° 15'
38
'' Longitude
Current Situation
Total Personnel: 15
Size 837 Acres
Percent of Perimeter Contained 100%
Estimated Containment Date 8/5/24
Fuels Involved
  • Timber (grass and understory.
  • Brush (2 feet).
  • Short grass (1 foot).
Significant Events

Observed fire behavior is minimal, flanking, backing, creeping.
Outlook
Planned Actions

Hold Forest Road 312, 312N and other roads. 
Projected Incident Activity
  • 12 hours: No increase to fire perimeter. Slight chance of precipitation in the late afternoon.
  • 24 hours: No increase to fire perimeter. Potential for rain shower. 
  • 48 hours: No increase to fire perimeter. Increase in temperature and slight chance of thunderstorms in early afternoon.
  • 72 hours: No increase to fire perimeter. Increase in temperatures.
  • Anticipated after 72 hours: No increase to fire perimeter.
Current Weather
Weather Concerns

Increasing temperatures and low relative humidity.

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