Wildfire in East Slopes Sangre De Cristo Mountains, New Mexico

The Tusas Wildfire began along NM Highway 266 between mile markers 3 and 4 west of Sapello, NM. The fire grew northeastward into surrounding hills located in an area surrounded by but not included within the 2022 Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon burn scar. The fire grew in a critical fire weather environment April 23rd before coming under control April 24th, burning a total of 233 acres. No structures were reported destroyed or damaged.

An upper level disturbance moved across the northern and central Rockies during the day on April 23rd resulting in some strong wind gusts across the Sangre de Cristo Mountains before sunrise before spreading east to the adjacent highlands across northeast and east central NM mid to late morning as daytime mixing commenced. This resulted in a period of high winds at Clines Corners during the late morning hours. These strong winds helped the Tusas Wildfire near Sapello, NM, that started April 22nd, grow to 233 acres.