NORTHERN NEW MEXICO
Crews tackle bosque fire that prompted evacuations in Espa帽ola
Fire north of Santa Claran Casino burned at least four structures, officials say
ESPA脩OLA 鈥� A brush fire that reportedly started in a bosque north of Santa Claran Casino on Friday night burned multiple structures and prompted evacuations of the area, according to the city of Espa帽ola.
While the fire was not contained as of Saturday evening, city officials said in a statement that fire behavior has significantly decreased, which allowed fire crews to make progress.
Officials originally estimated the size of the fire at around 100 acres, but Espa帽ola Fire Chief John Wickersham scaled back that initial appraisal on Sunday to roughly 44 acres.
A city dispatcher said Friday evening that firefighters from Los Alamos, Santa Fe, Ohkay Owingeh and other nearby departments responded to the blaze, which burned a mobile home, an RV and two sheds.
Officials had not reported any injuries resulting from the fire as of Saturday evening.
The evacuations Friday night into Saturday were in effect from Santa Claran Casino through the Fairview Bridge, according to a post on the . The city directed evacuees to the 鈥淟a Mesilla and San Pedro centers.鈥�
鈥淜eep our city in your thoughts and prayers, along with all fire departments and law enforcement agencies currently responding,鈥� the Facebook post reads. 鈥淢ultiple agencies are actively working to protect our community.鈥�
In an update, Dispatch Center Director Josh Archuleta said roadblocks put in place along Riverside Drive Friday night had been lifted by around 1 a.m. Saturday morning.
鈥淭he different commands are meeting right now to discuss the next steps,鈥� he said at the time. 鈥淪helters have been closed for lack of use and the need to reopen them will be reevaluated tomorrow by the team.鈥�
Firefighters were focused Saturday on strengthening and holding control lines, according to the city.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
John Miller is the 近距离内射合集鈥檚 northern New Mexico correspondent. He can be reached at jmiller@abqjournal.com.
