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The Colorado 2 Fire burns its way through the Cibola National Forest on Mount Taylor; the fire is now 75 percent contained. Courtesy photo
CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. — A fire began to spread across the north side of Mount Taylor on October 5, and crews have been working to put the fire out. The fire, known as the Colorado 2 Fire, caused a series of evacuations from the mountain as there were several hikers and pinon pickers in the area, according to officials.
The fire is now 75 percent contained and stands at 257 acres as of Monday, Oct. 12, according to a press release from the Cibola National Forest and Grasslands, U.S. Forest Service. The fire is under much better control and was relinquished from the USFS jurisdiction to the Mount Taylor Ranger District at 8 a.m. on Monday.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation; crews have managed to stop the spread of the conflagration and secure a perimeter to isolate the blaze, Cibola NF&G said. Fire crews have been preparing for high winds and above average temperatures, which may help fuel the already dry conditions. Colorado 2 is currently using timber and grass as primary sources of fuel.
Firefighters from the Cibola National Forest, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Geronimo Hot Shots, along with Cibola and McKinley County Sheriff’s Offices, and unspecified aerial assistance have been helping and keeping people in the area safe.
Partial closure
The fire has caused a partial shutdown of the mountain, and authorities have established a no-fly zone, warning area residents and visitors that when people fly drones it becomes unsafe for fire crews to operate.
Continental Divide Trail hikers are advised to use NFSR 451B, 451 and 239 to avoid the site. The highly trafficked trail goes right through Colorado Canyon where the fire is currently burning. Cibola National Forest officials are requesting people to detour from the original route to ensure the safety of all trail hikers.
The fire is threatening the habitat of the Mexican Spotted Owl, along with rangeland infrastructure and cultural resources, according to the national forest officials.
While there was an evacuation order issued when the fire was first discovered, there is not currently an evacuation order in place and no houses are threatened by the blaze.
Protecting public health
Firefighters are not just fighting the fire, they are also fighting the spread of COVID-19, according to Cibola NF&G, and personnel are taking precautions to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.
Cibola NF&G warns residents and visitors that smoke may occasionally be visible as “interior pockets of vegetation” burn inside of the fire perimeter.
“Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures,” the Cibola NF&G claims.
According to New Mexico Environmental Public Health Tracking, people who see smoke should use the 5-3-1 method to protect their health. The NMEPHT recommends that if a person can see at least five miles in front of them they should check the visibility outside often to make sure the smoke is not getting thicker. If a person has breathing issues like asthma, or other respiratory diseases, or healthy people age 65 and oler, pregnant women and young children should limit their outdoor activities.
If a person can see no more than three miles in front of them, they should minimize their outdoor activities. People older than age 65 and those with breathing issues are ad-vised to stay inside.
If visibility is less than one mile, NMEPHT claims that all people, regardless
of health or age should stay inside.