Ox and Rona Fires 100% Contained
March 20, 2025 UPDATE

Name: Ox Fire
Reported start date / time: March 18, 2025 / 1600 Cause: Undetermined.
Size: 4.3 acres Containment: 100%
Location: Manzano Mountains south of Ox Canyon on the Mountainair Ranger District – New Mexico - Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands. Approximately 5 miles southwest of the town of Manzano.
Resources on scene: 1 USFS Engine, 1 BLM Rio Puerco Module and FWS Engine.
Fire Behavior: The Ox Fire is exhibiting very low interior fire behavior.

Strategy: Full suppression.
Evacuations: No evacuations are currently in place.
Values at risk: No values currently threatened.
Fuels: Timber. Heavy dead and down.
Situation: Firefighters have contained the Ox Fire. They will continue to be on scene mopping up interior pockets and smokes if they pop up and will continue patrol through the weekend.
Smoke: Light smoke may be visible in the surrounding areas including anything on East side of Manzano Mountains. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

Name: Rona Fire Firefighters responded Tuesday afternoon during the high wind event to a fire off Highway 42 just north of Corona. The .5-acre Rona Fire was quickly contained with the help of Corona Fire Department, Torrance County and USFS personnel. This fire has been declared "out."

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: Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight, Mostly clear, with a low around 32. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 25 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. A fire weather watch will be in effect today possibly changing to Red Flag conditions. https://www.weather.gov