Jun 252012
 

From news release:

Magdalena, NM. July 3, 2012 – Cibola National Forest and Grasslands Forest Supervisor Nancy Rose announced that the Magdalena Ranger District’s Magdalena Mountain area will begin Stage II fire restrictions effective Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. The Gallinas and Bear Mountain areas will stay in Stage I. The San Mateo and Datil Mountain areas have been in Stage II fire restrictions since June 22, 2012.

In addition, Forest Road 235 has reopened. It was closed during the Sawmill fire, which is now 90 percent contained.

07.02.2012

From news release:

Detected 6/23/2012 and located approximately 3 miles southeast of Magdalena Ridge Observatory/Langmuir Lab and approximately 13 miles south of Magdalena, New Mexico. The fire is currently 104 acres located in extremely steep and rugged terrain with minimal fire behavior – smoldering in mixed conifer and through rock screes. Containment is at 88%. No structures are threatened. Forest Road 235 is closed to the Magdalena Ridge Observatory/Langmuir Lab is closed to the public but is open to Fire and MRO/LL personnel only.

06.29.2012

From news release:

Detected 6/23/2012 and located approximately 3 miles southeast of Magdalena Ridge Observatory/Langmuir Lab and approximately 13 miles south of Magdalena, New Mexico. The fire is located in extremely steep and rugged terrain burning in mixed conifer and through rock screes.

Current Size: 104 acres
Containment:  81%

Firefighters have been able to prep and hold the fire line at the Ryan Hill/Sawmill Canyon Divide. Rock slides and scree slopes have helped to keep the fire from spreading to the north and south along the fire perimeter. The fire keeps rolling and backing down into Sawmill Canyon. Structure protection and a structure protection plan were provided to Magdalena Ridge Observatory and Langmuir Labs.

06.28.2012

A news release from the Magdalena Ranger District today reports that the Sawmill Fire burning near Magdalena Ridge Observatory/Langmuir Laboratory is now burning at 104 acres with 81% containment.

With the successful suppression actions that have occur over the past couple of days, several resources (some of the crews, water tenders, and helicopters) have been released.  The remaining resources will continue to work at the Langmuir Lab and Magdalena Ridge Observatory to finish structure protection and be ready for the possibility of initial attack.  The structure protection activities will help in case of future fires in the area.  At the end of today’s shift, management of this fire will be turned back over to the local district unless conditions determine otherwise.  The remaining helicopters will be available for recon flights, possible water drops if needed, or for initial attack if any new starts occur.

06.27.2012

A news release from the Magdalena Ranger District today reports that the Sawmill Fire burning near Magdalena Ridge Observatory/Langmuir Laboratory is now burning at 104 acres with 69% containment.

Firefighters were successful yesterday to continue to improve fire line along the upper and lower portions of the fire.  The plan is for the firefighters is to continue to improve fire line and mop up and then begin to leave the fire line by early afternoon due to the threat of lightning this afternoon.  Crews continue to work with 3 – Type 1 helicopters, working out of the Socorro Airport to slow and / or stop the spread of the fire in areas where it is hazardous to put fire fighters.  Continued structure protection is being implemented for the Langmuir Lab and Magdalena Ridge Observatory, atop the Magdalena Mountains.  If actions on the fire go as planned, some crews and aircraft could start to demobilize from the fire by this evening or by tomorrow.

06.26.2012

An updated news release from the Magdalena Ranger District reports that the Sawmill Fire burning near Magdalana Ridge Observatory/Langmuir Laboratory is burning at 101 acres (more accurate mapping was done overnight) and is 0% contained.

Firefighters will continue to hold fire line along the ridge that separates Sawmill and Ryan Hill Canyons.  One crew will be flown into the bottom of Sawmill Canyon to hike up to the fire to construct direct fire line and mop up if conditions allow.  Crews continue to work with 3 – Type 1 helicopter, working out of the Socorro Airport to slow and / or stop the spread of the fire in areas where it is hazardous to put fire fighters.  Continued structure protection is being implemented for the Langmuir Lab and Magdalena Ridge Observatory, atop the Magdalena Mountains.

06.25.2012

According to the news release from the Magdalena Ranger District the Sawmill Fire burning 3 miles from the observatory is still burning and now is an estimated 135 acres in size with 0% containment.

Firefighters will continue to build and improve fire line along the ridge that separates Sawmill and Ryan Hill Canyons.  Crews are looking for opportunities to check the fire spread on the south and west flanks in conjunction with air resources.  Multiple air resources continue to utilize retardant and water drops to slow and / or stop the spread of the fire.  Additionally, structure protection is being implemented to the Langmuir Lab and Magdalena Ridge Observatory, atop Magdalena Ridge.

Also note due to the Sawmill Fire on the Magdalena Ranger District, Forest Road 235 from the Water Canyon Campground to Langmuir Observatory has been temporarily closed. More here.

More on the news release from Magdalena Ranger District here.