Firefighters are finally getting a handle on the Bear Trap Fire, which is now over 80 percent contained. As of Monday, the fire had burned 38,225 acres in the heart of the San Mateo Mountains in southwestern Socorro County.

The Magdalena Ranger District maintains a fire-area, road and trail closure to protect public health and safety during fire operations on the Bear Trap Fire. The latest closure order expands the previous closure area to provide for continued firefighter safety during wildland fire suppression and emergency operations.

Based on extreme fire danger and severe fire weather conditions, Cibola National Forest has also implemented Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on fireworks, explosives and sparks in the Magdalena Ranger District.

Southeast of the Bear Trap Fire, the Black Fire in Gila National Forest has consumed 241,403 acres and is partially contained at 26 percent. The Black Fire, 31 miles west of Truth or Consequences, is being fought by 753 firefighters.

The historic communities of Winston and Chloride are only 4-6 miles from the fire’s eastern perimeter.

The Gila National Forest remains under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions.

A Ready-Set-Go evacuation advisory surrounding the Black Fire has been issued.

  • Get Ready: Maintain an adequate defensible space around the residence. Clear dry brush and vegetation away from the outside starting in the 5-foot zone and then out to the 100–200-foot zone.
  • Get set: Prepare yourself and your home for the possibility of evacuation before wildfire arrives. Create a Wildfire Action Plan that includes an Emergency Supply Kit for each person and a Family Communication Plan.
  • Go: Load your emergency supply kit and evacuation bags into your vehicle and park facing the road for a quick exit. If you feel threatened, then evacuate early. When an evacuation order is issued, there is no time to waste.

Evacuations for limited areas in the neighborhood of the Black Fire are issued by the sheriffs of Grant, Catron and Sierra counties.

Smoke from both fires, mainly the Black Fire, continues to present health risks to Socorro County residents, especially in the late afternoon and early evening.

John Larson, El Defensor Chieftain