The 120-acre Oakmont fire that began in Timberon, New Mexico on Friday, May 3 was reportedly 30% contained by Monday.
The fire destroyed an abandoned mobile home, according to officials from the New Mexico Forestry Division. Emergency Services Director for Otero County Matthew Clark said the mobile home had been abandoned for about four years. No other damage was reported.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated, according to the New Mexico Forestry Division.
The fire required 130 total personnel to bring it under control. The US Forestry Division, Rio Grande Type 2IA engines, US Forest Service, Timberon Fire Department, Smokey Bear and Sacramento Hotshot Crews all responded at the outset of the blaze. As of May 5, only 60 personnel were at the scene.
“Forestry Division’s Rio Grande crew will remain through the evening and into next week to finish fire suppression and patrol efforts,” New Mexico Forestry Division Communications Coordinator George Ducker said in a news release on Sunday, May 5.
When the fire was first reported Otero County issued an emergency evacuation for residents in the area. An evacuation shelter was set up at Cloudcroft High School. It is unclear how many people, if any, used the shelter during the brief evacuation period. A shelter was also set up for wildlife at the Circle Cross Park.
While firefighters continue to battle the blaze, the weather may play a role in fully containing it as a red flag warning was issued for May 7 from noon until 9 pm A red flag warning is issued by the National Weather Service when the weather can contribute to wildfires being started and spreading.
Juan Corral can be reached at [email protected] or on twitter at @Juan36Corr.
