Wildfire in Jemez Mountains, New Mexico

The McCauley Springs wildfire was discovered during the early morning hours of June 24th in the steep and rugged terrain of the southern Jemez Mountains, north of Jemez Springs along NM Highway 4. The wildfire quickly grew in its initial days to over 700 acres, forcing evacuations of Jemez Falls Campground, Sierra de los Pinos, Vallecitos, and the Redondo Camground. It also forced a closure of NM Highway 4 between mile markers 27 and 40. Despite an increase in elevated to critical fire weather conditions on the 27th, the fire was brought under control, capping its growth to 712 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.