August 13th UPDATE on Vereda Blanca Fire
Mt. Taylor Ranger District

Vereda Blanca Fire Operations: Crews worked to hold the fire edges and continue to scout for spotting. Rainfall during the afternoon aided in the suppression efforts. Fire behavior can be categorized as backing and creeping with isolated torching. Looking forward, four aviation dip tanks will be utilized to support suppression.

Vereda Blanca Fire Reported start date / time: August 8, 2025 / 0731

Cause: Lightning.

Location: Northeast Mt Taylor Ranger District near Black Mesa and northeast of Grants, NM. 

See attached map.

Size: 1,307 acres.                Strategy: Full suppression.      Containment: 4%                    

Fire Behavior: Moderate.   Fuels: Pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pine.

Resources: Firefighters from the USFS, BLM and contractors are on scene with aerial resources. 124 personnel.

Values at risk: The Vereda Blanca Fire is not a threat to any communities, and there are no evacuations in effect. 

Multiple sensitive cultural resources and potential wildlife habitat may be at risk.

Smoke: Smoke may be visible west of the surrounding areas of the Grants, Milan, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Cuba and Jemez. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov allows you to zoom into areas to see the latest smoke conditions.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public should avoid the Vereda Blanca Fire area.

Drones pose a serious risk to firefighting and can cause air operations to cease.
The public is reminded that "If you fly, we can't!"

Weather forecast for Grants, NM: Wednesday (8/13/25) A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Thursday (8/14/25) A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. South wind around 5 mph becoming north in the morning. https://www.weather.gov/

All fire information and updates will be posted on the  inciweb.wildfire.gov, Cibola NF & NGs website, New Mexico Fire Information website, and the Cibola NF & NGs Facebook  & X pages.