Lightning Strike - San Mateo Mountains – Fisher Fire

ALBUQUERQUE, NM, July 3, 2024 – During a Monday evening thunderstorm the Worthington Lookout Tower reported smoke in the northwest San Mateo Mountains on the Magdalena Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands. Yesterday, fire crews were unable to access the area due to the remote location and threatening weather conditions. Today fire crews are responding, and additional updates will be sent as new information is received on the Fisher Fire.

Reported date / time: July 1, 2024 / 1825

Cause: Lightning Strike

Size: 1/10 acre

Location: Remote mountainous terrain of northwest San Mateo Mts. on the Magdalena Ranger District – New Mexico on the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands.

Responding Resources: Firefighters from the USFS.

Fuels: Grass, timber and brush.

Containment: 0%.

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

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public should avoid the Fisher Fire area on the Magdalena Ranger District.
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!"

Smoke may be visible from NM 60 southwest of Magdalena, NM.

Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website  nmtracking.org

Weather for Magdalena NM on July 3, 2024: Today: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. https://www.weather.gov  /

Fisher Fire updates will be posted on the  Cibola NF & NGs website, New Mexico Fire Information website, and the Cibola NF & NGs Facebook & Twitter pages.