| Indios Fire Update, May 28, 2024NM Fire Info

Firefighters identify targets of Indios fire caused by lightning

Daily update – Tuesday May 28, 2024

Acres: 4,844

Start date: 05/19/2024

Location: 7 miles north of the village of Coyote, New Mexico

Staff: 440

Completion: 0%

Fuels: Frame

Strong points: Fire managers are measuring progress in fighting the lightning-caused Indios Fire in terms of percentage completion of management objectives, rather than traditional containment percentage. Percentage completion of goals more accurately reflects the specific amount of work accomplished on the ground to manage the spread of fires and reduce negative impacts on communities, infrastructure, and other identified values. Using completion percentage illustrates achieving goals each day. Regarding the Indios Fire, the planned operational objectives are to reintroduce fire into a fire-dependent ecosystem to reduce the severity of future wildfires. Benefits will include reducing hazardous fuels, encouraging native growth and improving rangeland and watershed conditions, species diversity and wildlife habitat.

Operations: Firefighters continue efforts to contain the Indios Fire within the planning area. Containment is a wildfire response strategy that limits a wildfire to a defined area, primarily by using natural barriers. Additional response actions are sometimes necessary to augment or bridge natural barriers. Firefighters are focused on preparing the perimeter of the containment zone by removing and shredding vegetation along existing roads and constructing handlines to connect and construct a continuous boundary to limit the spread of the fire. Yesterday, crews placed a 10,000-gallon portable water tank near the western portion of the fire to provide a water source for fire management activities. Unmanned aerial systems (i.e., drones) were used to aerially ignite an unburned area to bridge the gap between two actively burning areas in the eastern portion of the fire. Firefighters will continue their handline construction and fuel reduction activities in the coming days.

Weather report: Over the next few days, potential thunderstorm activity will move across eastern New Mexico. This weather activity today brings a 30% chance of precipitation with average humidity leading to gusty surface winds. Weather conditions should be conducive to the beneficial effects of fires in the afternoon and early evening.

Smoke: Smoke from the Indios Fire may continue to be visible in surrounding communities. People sensitive to smoke and people with respiratory problems or heart conditions are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Learn more about smoke impacts on the New Mexico Environmental Department website at An interactive smoke map allows you to zoom in on your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

Closures: The Santa Fe National Forest has issued an emergency closure of the area due to the Indios Fire. The purpose of the closure order is to protect the health and safety of the public as well as the safety of all personnel working the fire. The complete closure order (n° 03-12-05-23-22) and the plan are available on Inciweb. Camping and water will be available at the Coyote Ranger Station for Continental Divide Trail hikers affected by this closure.

Security: The health and safety of firefighters and the public is always the first priority. Members of the public should stay away from Indios Fire operations. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes unmanned aircraft systems or drones. For more information on the dangers drones pose to wildfirefighting aircraft and ground personnel, see:

More information: inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmsnf-indios-wildfire /

575-323-2290 / x.com/SantafeNF / facebook.com/santafeNF / [email protected]