NEWS
Tusas Fire grows to 250 acres in San Miguel County
Wildfire west of Sapello remains uncontained as crews work to protect structures
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Modified
LAS TUSAS 鈥� A wildfire that started Wednesday afternoon in San Miguel County has scorched an estimated 250 acres and prompted evacuations of homes near the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire burn scar, which spans 341,471 acres in Santa Fe and Carson national forests.
The Tusas Fire, burning west of Sapello near N.M. 266, sparked around 4 p.m. Wednesday and was 0% contained as of Thursday, when whipping winds and low relative humidity generated red flag warnings east of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Nathaniel Martinez, manager at the Phillips 66 gas station in nearby Sapello, was driving a school bus Wednesday afternoon as part of a route that goes up the canyon when he saw smoke from the fire.
A lifelong Sapello resident, Martinez said the Tusas Fire evoked memories of the 2022 Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire, the largest wildfire in state history.
鈥淪o I actually had to turn around the bus with two students and return them here to release them to their parents,鈥� he said as Thursday's high winds howled across the gas station parking lot. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot more dry fuel and finer fuels now, especially after the (Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire).鈥�
The cause of the Tusas Fire is under investigation, according to a news release from state Forestry Division spokesperson George Ducker, who said the fire is burning through timber, pi帽on and juniper on private lands managed by the agency.
A Forestry Division Type-3 ad-hoc fire team assumed command of the fire Wednesday evening, with support from surrounding volunteer fire departments, hotshot crews and air resources, which could be seen dropping red fire retardant over the smoke plume Thursday. A temporary flight restriction has been put in place for the area.
鈥淐rews worked overnight on initial attack and structure protection,鈥� Ducker wrote in a news release. 鈥淔ire activity was steady through the night but moderated slightly this morning.鈥�
Residents on N.M. 266 between mile markers 3 and 6 are being evacuated, and residents east of mile marker 3 are in a 鈥淪et鈥� status, meaning that they should be prepared to leave at a moment鈥檚 notice, Ducker said.
N.M. 266 is closed at the N.M. 94 junction.
鈥淣o structures have been impacted, but multiple structures are still threatened and evacuations are in place,鈥� Ducker said.
Local residents are urged to avoid the area if possible. People sensitive to wildfire smoke should exercise caution.
According to the wildfire information management system New Mexico Fire Information, the fire 鈥渋s burning in timber fuels, torching and making wind-driven runs from the southwest.鈥�
Fire weather is expected to continue through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service in sa国际传媒官网网页入口. Wind speeds are expected to range between 20 and 30 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph.
The Forestry Division will continue working alongside support agencies until the fire is contained.
鈥淪tate, local and federal fire crews and aviation resources are engaging with full suppression tactics,鈥� Ducker said.
Nakayla McClelland can be reached at nmcclelland@abqjournal.com or at 505-823-3857. John Miller can be reached at jmiller@abqjournal.com.
