McCauley Springs Fire grows to 150 acres, threatens Highway 4 access

Fire crews were racing to hold the McCauley Springs Fire away from Highway 4 on June 24 as the blaze grew from about 30 acres in the morning to 150 acres by nightfall on the Jemez Ranger District near Battleship Rock. Containment stayed at 0%, and the Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management Team took command as the fire moved into a more complex operational period.

The response was full suppression, with federal and local engines, the Santa Fe Interagency Hotshot Crew, additional hotshot crews, aircraft and dozers assigned to slow the spread and build fireline. Large Air Tankers dropped retardant during the day, but gusty thunderstorm outflow winds temporarily grounded them, and crews were dealing with erratic fire behavior that made the line work harder. Fire managers also had a strike team of engines conducting structure-protection triage in the Sierra Los Pinos area.

Sandoval County ordered the Sierra Los Pinos area to evacuate, calling the conditions “extremely dangerous” and urging residents to “EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY.” Sierra de los Pinos was in Go status, and evacuation centers were opened at Jemez Mountain Baptist Church in La Cueva and the Jemez Valley Senior Center at 8154 Highway 4.

Los Alamos County closures added to the disruption for anyone headed west into the Jemez. Highway 4 was shut from mile marker 27 to 40, and Battleship Rock Campground, Jemez Falls Campground, Redondo Campground and Trail 137 were all closed. Jemez Falls Campground had also been evacuated.

Smoke was visible from Albuquerque, U.S. 550, Jemez Springs and surrounding communities. Statewide fire restrictions had already been in effect since April 6.