Three Rivers Fire Update – May 4, 2021
Acres: 7,020 acres
Containment: 23%
Resources: 284
Vegetation: Grass, dead/down timber, and mixed conifer.
Start Date: April 26, 2021: 8:00 am
Cause: Unknown, Under Investigation
Origin Location: ½ mile north of Three Rivers Campground; fire has spread towards both Ski Apache and the South Fork/Bonito area.
Ruidoso, New Mexico, May 4, 2021 – 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.
Today, the Southwest Incident Management Team 2 will prepare to transition command of the Three Rivers Fire back to the local Type 3 interagency organization. Throughout the week, firefighters will continue to strengthen control lines, monitor the fire, extinguish hot spots, ground truth, and obtain more accurate mapping. The structure group will continue to patrol the area and be available for initial attack if any new fires arise. As the fire’s behavior has drastically decreased, more crews are expected to demobilize back to their home units or be reassigned to other fires in the region.
Small pockets of unburned vegetation remain within the fire's interior and during the peak burning period, which is mid-day to late afternoon, may produce visible smoke as fuels are consumed. Although most of the surface fuels within the fire’s perimeter that would allow the fire to carry and grow are gone, unburned areas within can continue to smolder for weeks.
Most of the Lincoln National Forest is open to visitors however, the forest along with the Mescalero Apache Tribal lands, and surrounding areas are currently under Fire Restrictions. A closure order has been issued for a portion of the White Mountains Wilderness. 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.
It is important to recognize that longer, more extreme fire seasons are likely to continue. With most of southern New Mexico already in extreme drought, the 2021 fire season is now upon us. If you haven’t already, now is a good time to start learning about living with wildfire and Ready, Set, Go! principles that will help you take steps to protect your home and your family.
·This is the last Three Rivers Fire news release that will be distributed by the Southwest Type 1 Incident Management Team 2. For additional information the phone/email listed below is s available for the public and media.
ROAD CLOSURES
• Bonito Canyon Road past the Bonito Lake Dam
• Nogal Canyon Road past the Nogal Peak trailhead
• Three Rivers Trailhead and Campground
• Monjeau Lookout at Sierra Vista
CENTER HOURS: 8am-8pm
Fire Information Public Phone Line: 575-386-5077
Fire Information Media Phone Line: 575-386-5108
InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7440/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThreeRiversFire2021
Wildfire Smoke and COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/smoke-faq.html
Ready, Set, Go! http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SFD/FireMgt/FirePreventionandOutreachProgram.html
