Timberon Evacuation, Fire Information

TIMBERON, N.M. (KBIM-KRQE) - From New Mexico State Forestry, as of 8:30 a.m. Friday:

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Incident Name: Timberon

Start Date & Time: 5/6

Start Location: Timberon

Cause of Fire: Under Investigation by Otero County Sheriff Department

Area Vegetation: Ponderosa pine and PJ

Acres Burned: 140 acres (increase due to GPS mapping)

Ownership(s): private

Structures Threatened: None

Structures Burned: 8 destroyed, one damaged

Evacuations (Y or N & #): about 20 homes in a portion of a subdivision of Timberon

Situation: Fire crews will continue to patrol and mop up the fire throughout the day, working on hotspots and containing fuels burning on the interior. Containment lines are holding, but there remains some limited smoldering and torching of unburned fuels within the interior of the burn area. The fire is currently 40% contained.

On Thursday, incident command confirmed that three primary residences in the Timberon Unit 7 Subdivision were destroyed by the fire, along with five outbuildings. An additional residence was damaged by the fire. 10 vehicles were also destroyed.

No structures remain threatened at this time but current evacuations remain in effect, primarily due to safety concerns on roads around the fire, which will continue to see heavy emergency vehicle traffic.

Electricity and water service has been restored following repair of power lines damaged by the fire.

A FEMA Fire Management Assistance Grant declaration submitted by State Forestry, in conjunction with the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security Office of Emergency Management has been approved. This grant funding will help cover 75% of the fire suppression costs.

Timberon residents affected by the fire who are concerned about their property or access to the area are encouraged to call the Citizen Information hotline: 575-682-2733.

% Contained: 40%

# of Engines: 18

# of Bulldozers: 2

# of hand crews: 2 type 1 crews

# of helicopters: 1

# of air tankers:

# of water tenders: 2

Total # of Personnel: approx 129