On Sunday, May 9th, the Three Rivers Fire transferred to a Type-4 interagency organization due to continued fire suppression success, which has resulted in limited fire activity. The remaining Three Rivers firefighting crews continue to work on extinguishing any hotspots they discover and monitoring the fire area in case the fire does try to progress. The fire perimeter changed slightly due to a small spot fire that had been burning and smoldering for days and eventually burned together with the main fire. This resulted in a slight increase in the overall acreage burned.

This will be the final update for the Three Rivers Fire. If you have fire questions, please contact the Smokey Bear Ranger District at (575) 257-4095. Acres: 7,033 acres Containment: 40%. Yesterday crews completed control lines along the west side of the fire coming down from the Big Bear area. Isolated smoke from a smoldering log was seen yesterday by firefighters who flew a reconnaissance mission in a helicopter, however, the perimeter of the fire has not grown for over a week.

A closure order has been issued for the White Mountains Wilderness and Three Rivers Campground and Trailhead. The purpose of the Order is to protect public health and safety during the Three Rivers Fire. See the links below for additional information on Fire Restrictions, Closures, and maps.

The Three Rivers Fire, was transferred to a Type-3 interagency organization after limited fire activity was observed for seven days. Firefighting crews remain assigned to the Three Rivers Fire. They continue to work each day, extinguishing any hotspots they discover and monitoring the fire area in case the fire does try to progress. However, the perimeter of the fire has not grown for several days.

Acres: 7,033 acres. Containment: 30%. Crews continue to focus on the northern, western, and southern parts of the fire. Considerable progress was made yesterday increasing and strengthening control lines along the perimeter of the fire, particularly on the north/northeast side of the fire. The eastern side of the fire has shown little to no activity over the past few days thanks in part to the rain and snow received last week and also the limited fuel available to burn after the fire entered the Little Bear Fire scar.

Fire Update: Moderate winds and precipitation both tested the fire and aided firefighters once again yesterday. There was no fire growth and remains at 7,020 acres with 23% containment.

Acres: 7,119. Containment: 23%. Fire Update: Strong wind gusts yesterday tested the fire lines constructed by fire crews over the past several days. Fire lines withstood the test, and significant progress continues to be made in containing the Three Rivers Fire. Please be advised that ALL National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the exterior boundaries of the White Mountain Wilderness of the Lincoln National Forest, as depicted on the attached map, are part of a RESTRICTED AREA.

Acres: 7,119. Containment: 19%. Fire Update: A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for today. This means warm temperatures, very low humidity, and stronger winds will combine to increase fire danger risk. Multiple lingering fires inside the perimeter continue to burn. Additional smoke is predicted, and with the southwest winds, the public may see and smell smoke, especially in the northeast area of Ruidoso. Firefighters are prepared for this increase in fire activity. Please be advised that ALL National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the exterior boundaries of the White Mountain Wilderness of the Lincoln National Forest, as depicted on the attached map, are part of a RESTRICTED AREA.

Acres: 6,951. Percent Containment: 13%. Firefighters continue to make progress in their work to contain the Three Rivers Fire that has been active over the past week. Today we will start seeing a warming and drying trend over the fire area. The scattering of the multiple smaller fires inside the perimeter continues to burn. As fuels dry out due to warmer temperatures and increasing winds from the southwest, smoke from the fire may be visible from the west side of the Crest Trail.

Acres: 5,557. Percent Containment: 13%. The much-welcomed rain and snow continued to fall Thursday morning and throughout the day, allowing firefighters to formulate a strategic plan of attack on the Three Rivers Fire. A reconnaissance flight, which entails aircraft equipped with infrared (IR) sensing technology can map wildfires, providing firefighters with an accurate assessment of the fire perimeter. Although the precipitation assisted in slowing the fire’s growth, warmer temperatures and winds are expected starting Saturday and over the next several days, potentially rekindling interior portions of the fire. Residents should remain vigilant and prepared for evacuations if fire behavior increases.

Acres: 12,000. Percent Containment: 5%.Structures burned: 0. Fire Update: Crews Continue to Work After Rain Douses Fire Overnight. Widespread scattered precipitation yesterday and last night has kept fire spread minimal. Increased moisture and humidity have slowed spread through grasses; dead and downed fuel is currently smoldering. Fire activity is expected to increase later in the day and wind direction is expected to shift, blowing the fire back onto already burned areas. The fire will become more active again as warmer weather returns Saturday.

Acres: 12,000. Percent Containment: 5%.Structures burned: 0. Fire Update: Cooler Weather Slows Three Rivers Fire Growth. Southwest Type 1 Team 2, led by Incident Commander Dave Bales, assumed management of the fire this morning. Cooler, wetter weather resulted in minimal fire growth today.