ALBUQUERQUE, NM, July 5, 2024Â -Â The lightning-caused Fisher Fire reported on July 1 by the Worthington Lookout Tower within the northwest San Mateo Mountains on the Magdalena Ranger District will use a confine and contain strategy within a designated area to reduce fuel loads and promote healthier landscapes.
Reported date / time: July 1, 2024 / 1825         Cause: Lightning Strike            Size: 45 acres
Location: Remote mountainous terrain of northwest San Mateo Mts. on the Magdalena Ranger District – New Mexico on the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands.
Strategy: Confine and contain.             Containment: 0%.
The Fisher Fire currently is approximately 45 acres, burning in oak and ponderosa pine litter with low to moderate fire activity. The Fisher Fire will use a confine and contain strategy within a designated area as long as it continues burning in this manner and conditions allow crews to safely do so. The planning area of 8,400 acres is surrounded by previous treatment areas: Durfee Bolander RX units 6(2024), 7(2023), and 8(2023) to the north, the North fire (2016) to the east, the Bear Trap fire (2022) to the south, and by Baney RX units 6(2020) and 7(2021), Ranch Supply RX (2005/2006), and Sargeant RX (2002/2012) to the west.Â
The intended outcome of this the Fisher Fire includes encouraging the growth of native plants, increasing species diversity in the understory, and the restoration of wildlife habitat.
Planned Acreage:Â Â 8,400.
Values at risk: The Fisher Fire is not a threat to any communities, and there are no evacuations in effect.Â
Resources on scene: Type 3 incident commander has been assigned to the Fisher Fire. Currently there are various resources working on the incident. USFS Firefighters and NM Forestry Division – Socorro District and aerial resources.
Resources Ordered: A Type 3 Incident Management Organization has been ordered and will be in place Sunday. Additional resources have been ordered and are in route.Â
Fire Behavior:Â Low to moderate.
Fuels:Â Oak and ponderosa pine litter.
Safety:Â 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 Hwy 60 southwest of Magdalena, Datil, Dusty and Alamo.
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 5, 2024: Today: Sunny, with a high near 88. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast in the morning. Tonight: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 3am. Mostly clear, with a low around 61. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%. July 6: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. https://www.weather.gov /
Photo:Â USFS photo of the Fisher Fire on July 4, 2024 from the Worthington Lookout in the San Mateo Mountains on the Magdalena Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands.
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.
