Wildfire Notification No. 2 on Oakmont Fire 050324

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 03 May 2024 03 May 2024

Wildfire Notification #2 

 Date/Time/Situation: As of 8:45 p.m., the Oakmont fire is estimated at 100 acres, and zero percent contained. A Type 3 IC has been ordered to take command, given the amount of resources and situational complexity. Otero County has released the county’s resources for the evening to be available for tomorrow morning’s actions. All roads in and out of Timberon are currently restricted with no estimated time of opening. This will be the last notification of the evening unless there are significant changes.

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. The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

Resources: Crews are responding from Forestry Division, the US Forest Service, Otero County, and local volunteer fire departments. These include large air tanker and helicopter support, and 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 68 degrees with winds from the southwest at 8 mph. Relative humidity is 10%. 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/ Closures: A temporary shelter is located at Cloudcroft High School: 10 Swallow Pl, NM 88317. All roads in and out of Timberon are currently restricted with no estimated time of opening. Please refrain from calling 911 unless you have an emergency. 

Animals/Livestock: Otero County has opened the fairgrounds for animals and/or livestock. 401 Fairgrounds Rd, Alamogordo, NM 88310. Circle Cross Ranch has also accepted animals.  

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. 

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