Fire crews are currently battling two wildfires near I-40 in Clines Corners.The Osita Draw fire is located west of highway 285 and has been 100% contained after burning 10 acres. The Canyon Venado fire is estimated at 20 acres with 0% containment. It is located south of I-40 and east of highway 285. Officials say the Canyon Venado fire is exhibiting running, crowning, and spotting behavior. Threats include a wind farm and structures within the area. State, county and federal resources are implementing full suppression tactics on both fires, including air support on both sides. According to NMSP officials, eastbound I-40 is closed at milepost 285, and all eastbound traffic is being diverted to I-285 North and South. I-40 has also been closed between mile markers 211 and 226. Officials now say electricity will be discontinued east of Clines Corners due to the fire’s proximity to electrical lines.The closure is expected to remain in place for the next few hours so crews can drop water. Crews from Torrance County, Santa Fe, and Moriarty are all helping to extinguish the fires. Valencia County Fire Officials says they will also be deploying one of their 3,000-gallon support tenders to assist in the fires. There are no current evacuations at this time.This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Fire crews are currently battling two wildfires near I-40 in Clines Corners.
The Osita Draw fire is located west of highway 285 and has been 100% contained after burning 10 acres. The Canyon Venado fire is estimated at 20 acres with 0% containment. It is located south of I-40 and east of highway 285.
Officials say the Canyon Venado fire is exhibiting running, crowning, and spotting behavior. Threats include a wind farm and structures within the area. State, county and federal resources are implementing full suppression tactics on both fires, including air support on both sides.
According to NMSP officials, eastbound I-40 is closed at milepost 285, and all eastbound traffic is being diverted to I-285 North and South. I-40 has also been closed between mile markers 211 and 226. Officials now say electricity will be discontinued east of Clines Corners due to the fire’s proximity to electrical lines.
The closure is expected to remain in place for the next few hours so crews can drop water.
Crews from Torrance County, Santa Fe, and Moriarty are all helping to extinguish the fires. Valencia County Fire Officials says they will also be deploying one of their 3,000-gallon support tenders to assist in the fires.
There are no current evacuations at this time.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
