Carson National Forest closes backroads near Tres Piedras during Beehive Fire

Several key backroads near Tres Piedras stayed closed as Carson National Forest locked down Forest Service Road 83, Forest Service Road 133 from Highway 64 to its intersection with Forest Service Road 133E1, and all of Forest Service Roads 421 and 576 under Forest Order #03-02-06-26-15. The order took effect at midnight July 2 and runs through August 31 unless rescinded, making these hard closures rather than roadside detours for anyone trying to cross the backcountry west of U.S. 64.

The Beehive Fire was first reported around 1:04 p.m. June 26 in the Tres Piedras Ranger District, about 15 miles west of Tres Piedras and north of Highway 64 in the Tusas Valley of Rio Arriba County. By July 2, the fire had reached 4,291 acres and was still at 0% containment, with 252 personnel assigned as the Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management Team worked under Incident Commander Steven Griego.

Containment improved steadily after that, but the closure map did not change. The fire was 4,408 acres and 11% contained on July 3, then 4,727 acres and 17% contained on July 4. By July 5 it had ticked to 4,728 acres and 43% containment, and by July 6 it was still 4,728 acres but had jumped to 74% containment, with 230 personnel on the incident. Crews were continuing mop-up and suppression repair work, and the team was beginning to plan a transition of command back to Carson National Forest.

The forest kept the roads closed for public and firefighter safety while active operations, equipment, and hazards remained in the area. Cooler temperatures and recent precipitation moderated fire behavior on July 2, and light rain over the fire area helped crews work more efficiently on the perimeter by July 6.

Carson National Forest also had Stage 2 fire restrictions in place beginning June 30, adding another layer of limits before the road shutdown even started.