Mayhill, NM Fire 5-9-2011

Another Day Of Wind-Heat-Fires!


At least three structures have burned in the Mayhill area from the fire that broke out at 2 PM MDT yesterday afternoon. As of 10 PM MDT last night the fire had burned 2,000 acres. Mayhill had been evacuated and US Hwy 82 remained closed eastbound out of Cloudcroft. Traffic was being diverted down St. Rd 244.

Another hot, dry, windy, dusty, and smokey day is on tap for SE NM. A strong upper level storm was located over west-central Arizona this morning, and is forecast to move slowly eastward across the northern sections of the state today into tomorrow. 

A Wind Advisory is in effect for Chaves, Lincoln, and Otero Counties for today. SW-W winds are forecast to be sustained at around 25 - 35 mph with gusts up to around 50 - 55 mph. These winds are forecast to be a little less severe across Eddy and Lea Counties, but still should gust up into the 40 mph range this afternoon.

Critically Dangerous Fire Weather Conditions will once again plague the area today. The fire danger is extreme folks so please refrain from any type of outdoor activity that involves the use of sparks or flame. Any wild fire that may develop will have the potential to rapidly spread and grow in the high winds and extremely dry conditions.

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Posted on May 10, 2011 by Dan Ware

RED FLAG WARNINGS WILL BE IN EFFECT TODAY STARTING AT 11 AM THRU 10 PM TONIGHT FOR HIGH WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMDITIES AND EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR.

Fire Crews in Eddy County responded to a new fire near the community of Queen last night around midnight. The Queen Fire has destroyed an RV and multiple outbuildings and damaged other structures; the fire continues to be very active this morning.

The Village of Queen has been evacuated. The Incident Commander estimates approximately 50 residents have been asked to leave. The fire is situated between Hwy 137 and Forest Road 525, near the recent Last Chance Fire and has forced the closure of Hwy 137 at Dark Canyon.

Currently, the fire is burning north of the Guadalupe Christian Church camp and fire crews are conducting firing operations around the subdivision to keep the fire from getting closer.  Due to the high winds, aerial resources were only able to drop one load of retardent north of the community.

An estimated 1,500 acres has burned with 0% contained, and smoke from the fire is impacting Carlsbad and surrounding communities.

The school bus route to Queen has been cancelled for today.
Resources on scene include Eddy County departments, the BLM and the Forest Service and additional resources have been ordered and are enroute. (Carson IHC and IWC inmate crew)
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Fire Forces Evacuation of Mayhill, NM – 5/9/2011 10 pm

Incident Name:  Mayhill 
Start Date & Time:  5/9 1400
 Start Location:  2 miles west of Mayhill
 Cause of Fire:  unknown
 Area Vegetation: P/J
 Acres Burned: 2,000
 Ownership(s):  state and USFS
 Structures Threatened:  Mayhill
 Structures Burned: 3 - Unknown what type.
 Evacuations (Y or N & #): Mayhill and anything between Mayhill and state road 130 (Curtis Canyon)
 Situation: Fire started on highway 82 west of Mayhill and jumped state road 130. Highway 82 is closed at Cloudcroft and traffic is being diverted to state road 244. 
The fire continues to burn actively tonight. Crews are utilizing burnout operations to remove fuel from the potential path of the fire and to protect structures. Bulldozers are being used to cut in line as well. The Pecos Zone Type III incident management team has taken over control of the fire suppression efforts.
Crews will survey the damaged property areas tomorrow to determine what kind of structures have burned and to determine if additional structures have been damaged or destroyed.
The fire is 10% contained.
For Immediate Release: Crooked Creek Complex Fire Information – (575) 652-5508
Monday May10, 2011, 12:00AM                                          Team PIOs Joel Arnwine or La Dawn Saxton
Acres: 18,196
Start Date:  May 6th 2011
Cause:  Lightning
Location:  15 miles northwest of Hope, NM
Containment: 70 percent
Fuels:  Brush and grass
Terrain:  Steep and Rugged
Resources:  3 engines, 1 water tender, 1 overhead, 1 helicopter
Total personnel: 14
Structures: No Structures threatened/No Evacuations
Agency:  Bureau of Land Management (BLM), New Mexico State Forestry (NMSF), and private land.
Fuel Type:  Grass and Brush
Fire Behavior: Light fire activity, with some interior smoke was observed on the fire today.
Resources:  Pecos Zone Type III Team transitioned with a Type 4 Incident Commander Keller at 1800 hours and will conduct fire suppression activities. Approximately 14 personnel are currently assigned to the fire. Available resources from the Crooked Creek Fire have been reassigned to the Mayhill fire. Resources from the Bureau of Land Management, and area volunteer fire departments, and 1 helicopter will provide aerial reconnaissance; firefighters will continue mop-up and patrol fire.
9,192 acres are burning on the BLM, 631 acres on State Land and 2,063 acres are burning on private lands.
Structures Threatened:  None
Closures:  None



Posted on May 10, 2011 by Dan Ware

Fire Crews in Eddy County responded to a new fire near the community of Queen last night around midnight. The Queen Fire has destroyed one home and damaged three others and continues to be very active this morning. The Village of Queen has been evacuated.

The Incident Commander estimates approximately 50 residents have been asked to leave. The fire is situated between Hwy 137 and Forest Road 525, near the recent Last Chance Fire and has forced the closure of Hwy 137 at Dark Canyon.

Currently, the fire is burning north of the Guadalupe Christian Church camp and fire crews are conducting firing operations around the subdivision to keep the fire from getting closer.

An estimated 1,500 acres has burned with 0% contained.

The school bus route to Queen has been cancelled for today.
Smoke from the fire is impacting Carlsbad and surrounding communities.
Resources on scene include Eddy County departments, the BLM and the Forest Service.




The Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction!

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