Update 1 – June 16, 2022 – Thursday, 1925 hours PT

A NEW wildfire has ignited near I-40 westbound at the Carnuel exit, this evening from an unknown cause in Bernalillo County, New Mexico.

Fire behavior is active with wind-driven runs, and is moving in the westerly direction. There are reports of the fire now burning on both sides of I-40 and has reached 30 acres of burning fuels. One house has reportedly caught on fire.

Resources are in Unified Command which consists of USFS and Bernalillo County.

Resources include the following Firefighters from the USFS, Albuquerque Fire, and Bernalillo County Fire Dept., are on scene, alongside the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and the NM State Police. Additional resources have been ordered.

Evacuations are in effect for:

  • Carnuel Canyon

Road Closures:

  • WB and EB of I-40
  • NM Hwy 333

Current weather conditions reported by fire officials state as being extreme fire conditions with temps in the high 80s and a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 3 am. East winds at 24 mph with gusts to 36 mph with evening temps in the low 70s with a southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

(c) 2022 NW Fire Blog