Four Mile Fire Burns Six Acres in Zuni Mountains

Wind-driven fire is spotting through piñon-juniper and grass; no communities threatened

  • Flames burn through piñon-juniper and grass on the Four Mile Fire in the northwest Zuni Mountains on Aug. 10. The six-acre fire was actively spotting and moving southeast as ground and aerial crews worked to establish control lines. No communities were threatened and no evacuations were in effect. Photo courtesy U.S. Forest Service.
    Flames burn through piñon-juniper and grass on the Four Mile Fire in the northwest Zuni Mountains on Aug. 10. The six-acre fire was actively spotting and moving southeast as ground and aerial crews worked to establish control lines. No communities were threatened and no evacuations were in effect. Photo courtesy U.S. Forest Service.

    CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – Firefighters are working to suppress a new six-acre wildfire in the northwest Zuni Mountains after the Four Mile Fire was reported Sunday afternoon on the Mount Taylor Ranger District.

    The fire was reported at approximately 3:28 p.m. Aug. 9 south of Jamestown and Interstate 40, southeast of Fort Wingate and north of McGaffey, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

    As of Monday, the fire was actively spotting and being pushed southeast by winds through grass and piñon-juniper fuels.

    Ground crews from the U.S. Forest Service, McKinley County Fire and the Bureau of Indian Affairs are securing anchor points and establishing control lines around the fire. Aircraft are also conducting targeted water drops as crews use direct suppression tactics.

    The cause remains under investigation.

    No communities are currently threatened and no evacuations are in effect.

    Smoke may be visible south of Interstate 40, around Jamestown and Thoreau, west of Bluewater and throughout portions of the northwest Zuni Mountains. Residents sensitive to smoke can check current conditions through the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map at fire.airnow.gov.

    The new fire comes after several weeks of mixed monsoon conditions across western New Mexico. Heavy rainfall in late July helped ease some drought intensity and allowed fire restrictions to be lifted on the Mount Taylor Ranger District, but drought has not ended.

    U.S. Drought Monitor data valid Aug. 4 show 100% of Cibola County remains in drought, with approximately 89.83% classified in Severe Drought and 10.17% in Extreme Drought.

    According to the United States Forest Service, additional thunderstorms could bring some moisture to the area, but they may also produce gusty and erratic winds that complicate firefighting. Grants has a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms Monday afternoon, with a high near 93 degrees. Storm chances increase to 40% Monday night before returning to about 30% Tuesday afternoon.

    Members of the public should avoid the fire area and keep drones away from wildfire operations. Unauthorized drones can force firefighting aircraft to stop flying.

    The Cibola Citizen will continue to monitor the Four Mile Fire and provide updates as additional information becomes available.

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    Cibola Fire