Update 2 | June 15, 2022, Wednesday, 1000 hours PT — The Midnight Fire started on June 9, 2022, from lightning that occurred over the area. It is located about 4.5 miles north-northeast of El Rito in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico.

Virtual Public Meeting, June 16, 2022, will be live-streamed on the Carson National Forest Facebook page at 1800 (6pm) Hours.

Last night’s Public Meeting has been uploaded to the Carson National Forest Facebook page and is available to view at any time.

Important Information

Evacuation Info — http://www.tinyurl.com/midnightfiremap

Emergency Alerts — https://local.nixle.com/signup/widget/i/6807

Disaster Assistance resources — https://www.nmdisem.org/2022-wildfires/

Command

This incident is being managed by the Southwest Area Incident Management Team 1, Incident Commander Carl Schwope.

Breaking It Down (Timeline)

June 15, 2022 — Moderate fire behavior with flanking, backing, and isolated torching.

There is a total of 382 personnel along with 11 crews, 20 engines, and five copters, an increase of 52 for the total overall number of fire resources.

Numerous structures remain threatened. Evacuation orders are still in place. Area, road, and trail closures are in effect.

4,905 acres of heavily mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, brush, and grass have been consumed. There is a 12% containment status reached. Firefighters have been able to help decrease fire activity in the east and northeast areas of the fire, as it has reached some of the past burn scars.

Five structures have been reported as destroyed. Cost-to-date expenses have reached $2.4 Million Dollars.

June 14, 2022 — Fire activity picked up on Tuesday, pushing outside of containment lines along the western section of the perimeter. The cause has been determined as sparked by lightning. 330 total personnel are attached to this incident.

June 13, 2022 — Firefighters began constructing direct fire lines on both the east and west flanks of the fire, supported by four Super Scoopers and 12 copters using both retardant and water across the fire.

June 12, 2022 — The Southwest Area IMT1, assumed command of the incident at 0700 hours. Fire resources initiated a burn operation using currently established road systems in the southern area of the fire. They were able to stop the spread of the fire on the eastern side and force it to move towards the north. A fire burn scar from 2019 is assisting firefighters with good control of this incident. Evacuation orders are still in effect.

June 11, 2022 — The Midnight Fire located north of El Rito in Rio Arriba County was listed as 3,500 acres with a 0% containment status. 200 ground and air resources were immediately deployed to the fire ground. Structure protection was in effect for the Potrero Canyon community. The cause is unknown and under investigation.

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