Lightning-Caused Hausner Fire Reported in Zuni Mountains as Drought Persists Across Cibola County
By Diego Lopez
CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. - Firefighters are responding to a new lightning-caused wildfire in the Zuni Mountains as drought conditions continue to grip all of Cibola County.
The U.S. Forest Service announced Monday evening that the Hausner Fire was reported at approximately 5 p.m. on June 8 within the Hausner Canyon area of the Zuni Mountains, about five miles northwest of Oso Ridge Lookout on the Mt. Taylor Ranger District.
As of Monday night, the fire was estimated at 2 acres and burning in timber fuels.
Fire behavior was described as moderate, and U.S. Forest Service resources were on scene working suppression efforts.
Officials said the fire was caused by lightning, a common source of wildfire ignitions during New Mexico’s summer thunderstorm season.
Smoke may be visible north of New Mexico Highway 53, southwest of Interstate 40, and west of Grants and Milan.
The new wildfire comes as Cibola County remains under significant drought stress.
According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor released June 2, 100 percent of Cibola County remains in drought, with 62.95 percent classified in Extreme Drought (D3) and the remaining 37.05 percent in Severe Drought (D2).
While recent thunderstorms have brought scattered moisture to portions of western New Mexico, long-term drought conditions continue to affect vegetation, forests, and rangelands throughout the region.
The Hausner Fire is the latest in a series of relatively small wildfire starts reported on the Cibola National Forest this spring. Fire crews recently responded to the La Mosca Springs Fire, Seco Fire, and several other lightning and human-caused incidents before they could grow significantly.
Fire officials continue to urge caution as thunderstorm activity increases across the region.
“Drones pose a serious risk to firefighting and can cause air operations to cease,” the Forest Service stated in its release, reminding the public that “If you fly, we can’t.”
The Mt. Taylor Ranger District remains under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, which limit certain fire-related activities on public lands.
Weather forecasts for the Grants area call for a slight chance of rain and thunderstorms overnight, with a low temperature near 53 degrees.
The Forest Service indicated no additional updates are expected unless conditions change significantly.