Wildfire Notification #1
The New Mexico Forestry Division would like to update you on a wildfire that is requiring the attention of local, state, and federal resources in New Mexico.
Date/Time/Situation: The Oakmont Fire was discovered at 12:28 p.m., Friday, May 3, 2024; it is located in Timberon, NM. The fire is burning in a mixture of pinon, juniper and pine fuels within a populated neighborhood with some structures threatened. The fire is exhibiting torching behavior, which means that it is moving primarily across the surface of the ground, and intermittently reaching up into the crowns of trees. The Oakmont fire is estimated at 50 acres with zero percent containment. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Initial attack from air support has proven effective in slowing the fire’s progress. Response crews are working to flank the fire by establishing containment line and have identified community roads near the fire area to be utilized to support suppression actions. At this time, forward progress has been stopped by response crews.
No primary structures have been lost, but some outbuildings have suffered damages. The area is under a Fire Weather Watch until 9 p.m. tonight, and with winds expecting to pick up over the weekend, full containment is not expected until at least Monday, 5/6. This will be the last update of the evening unless there are significant changes.
Resources: Crews are responding from Forestry Division, the US Forest Service, Otero County, and local volunteer fire departments. Large air tanker support is on hand, as are the Smokey Bear and Sacramento Hotshot Crews.
Weather: A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for the area until 9 p.m. this evening. Currently, the temperature is 84 degrees with winds from the west at 20 mph. Relative humidity is 5%. This evening will be mostly clear, with a low around 43. West/southwest wind 12-17 mph, decreasing to 6-11 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph. Tomorrow’s high near 73 degrees. North wind 7-16 mph becoming south in the morning. Gusts as high as 23 mph.
Evacuations: Otero County has established a mandatory evacuation for the area of Sacramento Drive and Paradise Valley Drive in Timberon. A temporary shelter is located at Cloudcroft High School: 10 Swallow Pl, NM 88317
Safety: Expect increased activity in the area and on local roads as firefighters and equipment move to new locations. Please stay out of the fire area to allow crews safe access to the fire.
Smoke: Individuals sensitive to wildfire smoke should take precautions and use the New Mexico Department of Health 5-3-1 Visibility Method to determine if it’s safe to be outside. Learn more at https://nmtracking.doh.nm.gov/environment/air/FireAndSmoke.html. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.
Internet/ Social Media: The public can continue to follow fires in New Mexico on InciWeb, New Mexico Fire Information and New Mexico Forestry Division’s X account and Facebook. Fires can also be viewed through the New Mexico Forest & Watershed Institute’s Fire Viewer.