Crews wrap up three lightning fires in the Zuni Mountains

Firefighters have contained or are finishing work on three lightning-caused fires in the Zuni Mountains, the Cibola National Forest said. All three are on the Mount Taylor Ranger District.

The Barometer Fire, reported July 31, burned a tenth of an acre in the northern Zuni Mountains south of Jamestown, east of McGaffey and south of Interstate 40. It is 100% contained. Residual smoke may be visible from Jamestown, Thoreau and south of I-40.

The Rock Springs Fire, reported July 28, reached 6 acres in the central Zuni Mountains near Little Water Canyon, west of NM 612 and north of NM 53. The Notches Fire, reported July 29, reached 5 acres in the south central Zuni Mountains, also west of NM 612 and north of NM 53. The Forest Service listed both as final updates, with no new growth and crews reinforcing containment lines and putting out interior hot spots.

Smoke from both fires may be visible to the west from Ramah and El Morro.

The Forest Service asked the public to stay out of the fire areas, and warned that drones force firefighting aircraft to stop flying: “If you fly, we can’t.”

The agency said it will send further updates only if fire behavior changes enough to warrant them.