Hutchinson Fire backline.
Photo courtesy USDA/Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands

The lightning-caused Hutchinson Fire in the San Mateo Mountains southwest of Magdalena grew to an estimated 2,816 acres and was 20 percent contained as of Monday.

This fire is located in remote mountainous terrain on the southwest boundary of the 2022 Bear Trap Fire where crews are using existing fire lines.

Courtesy Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands

According to reports from Cibola National Forest, crews have completed blacklining fire operations with hand ignitions along Forest Roads 94, 96 and 478 to keep the fire within the identified planning area.

Battling the fire using a confine and contain strategy are Magdalena Ranger District Crew 3, Engine 631, Wallowa-Whitman NF Engine 653, Firestorm 5 Type 2IA Crew, New Mexico Forestry Department Type 2IA Crew, Cochiti Pueblo Water Tender 83, and the Sandia Helitack Type 3 Helicopter.

The fire was first spotted on July 23.

Smoke may be visible from Highway 107, Highway 52, the Dusty community, and generally within a 50-mile radius of the Hutchinson Fire. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures.

There are no road closures at this time related to the Hutchinson Fire, but members of the public should avoid the area to allow for fire operations.

Elsewhere in Cibola National Forest, fire resources are responding to the Capilla Peak fire in the Mountainair Ranger District and the Reid Fire in the Mt. Taylor Ranger District.

Eight wildfires are currently active in nearby Gila National Forest.

John Larson, El Defensor Chieftain