Current Situation: The Crosscut Fire started on July 27 within El Malpais National Monument. The lightning-caused fire is burning in a remote western area of the monument and is not currently threatening any infrastructure or private property. Due to the remote nature of the fire, firefighters are monitoring the fire’s progress while the fire continues to meet resource management and fire management objectives.
The fire has been consuming dead and down trees and an abundance of fallen vegetation and needles with low to moderate fire intensity. Reducing built up fuels on the landscape with low to moderate intensity fire protects against future high-intensity fires that may be more resistant to control and recycles nutrients back to the soil to maintain a healthy ecosystem.
Firefighters and fire managers will be monitoring the fire’s progress and assessing conditions daily. If the fire is no longer having the desired effects on the landscape or moves into an area that could have impacts on infrastructure or public safety, firefighters will take action to confine or contain the fire, as necessary.
Smoke impacts from the Crosscut Fire are expected to be minimal with the anticipated decrease in fire activity over the coming days. Visitors and community members can learn more about smoke by visiting www.fire.airnow.gov.
Weather & Fuel Conditions: After a few hot and dry days that slowly increased the fire’s perimeter, the fire received scattered showers on Monday with additional chances for rain predicted for today and Wednesday. Little growth is expected from the fire in the coming days.
Fire Restrictions: El Malpais National Monument has year-round fire restrictions in place. Fires are only allowed in designated areas. Smoking is prohibited on all trails. Fire restrictions can change; please inquire with at the visitor center for additional information on fire restrictions when recreating in the monument. For more information on fire restrictions across New Mexico, please visit https://nmfireinfo.com/.
Crosscut Fire Statistics:
Size: 196 acres
Total Personnel: 9
Cause: Lightning
Start Date: July 27, 2023
Location: El Malpais National Monument
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service