News Release

Encerrita Fire Command Transferred Back to Local Unit Due to Decreased Fire Activity

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News Release Date: June 25, 2024

GRANTS, NM — The Encerrita Fire again had very little activity on Monday as the area again received additional rainfall. The fire remained 2496 acres. On Monday, firefighters patrolled established fire lines and monitored areas where interior fuels are consuming. An infrared (IR) flight provided fire managers with added intelligence on the fire, showing scattered heat throughout the fire area. No areas are anticipated to threaten fire lines or other containment features.

Crews will continue to be released from the incident on Tuesday to return home or be made available for other assignments. With fewer firefighters staffing the fire and less severe fire weather, the complexity of the incident has decreased. As such, a Type 4 incident commander will assume command of the fire on Wednesday morning to direct the resources still assigned on the incident. The crews remaining on the incident will continue hauling equipment and patrolling the fire’s northern and western edges. While the incident will be staffed by fewer resources, the fire will remain on the landscape for the coming weeks. Smoke and occasional flames may be visible when conditions change to warmer and drier weather conditions for the area. Firefighters will continue staffing the fire and will be monitoring for potential increases in fire activity.

Closures will remain in effect in the monument. The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) and Zuni-Acoma Trail are closed in El Malpais National Monument from Porter Ranch Rd off Hwy 53 to Hwy 117; a CDT bypass is in place between CDT miles 502.5 to 512.5; more information is available on the CDT website. Both the western Zuni-Acoma Trail parking lot and the eastern Acoma-Zuni Trail parking lot are included in the closure. Closures have been posted and the public is asked to avoid closed roads, trails, and parking lots. The El Calderon Trail remains open.

This will be the last formal update for the Encerrita Fire unless significant fire activity occurs. Periodic updates on the fire will be provided via the El Malpais National Monument Facebook page (ElMalpaisNPS) and on Inciweb. Please contact the El Malpais Visitor Center at [phone] for additional updates on the fire or changes to closures within the monument

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