Wildfire in Central Highlands, New Mexico

The Canyon Venado Wildfire was first discovered June 23rd just south of I-40 and east of Clines Corners at mile marker 218, closing that stretch of highway. Structures, including a wind farm, were threatened but there was no reports of damage or destruction caused by the fire. The fire burned through thick and dry pinon-juniper fuels, aided by elevated to near critical fire weather conditions, reaching a total size of 908 acres.

Aided by severe to extreme drought conditions and a period of elevated to critical fire weather conditions, the Canyon Venado and McCauley Springs wildfires rapidly grew through portions of the central highlands near Clines Corners and the Jemez Mountains near Jemez Springs respectively. While staying under 1,000 acres in size, these fires threatened nearby property and shutdown nearby highways.