Fire erupts on east side of Manzanos

TAJIQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - Fire crews from the U.S. Forest Service are scouting flames that broke out after nightfall in the Manzano Mountains west of Tajique.

Their immediate role is to assess the fire in advance of additional firefighters expected on the scene first thing in the morning, according to Arlene Perea, public information officer for the USFS Mountainair Ranger District.

The fire is near the area burned by the Trigo Fire and will run into that charred section of forest if it burns to the north, she said.

The fire is not threatening any structures, and no one is being asked to evacuate, Perea added.

In addition to ground crews, an air tanker is expected to be available Friday morning.

The Trigo Fire began on April 15, 2008, and eventually spread over 14,000 acres destroying 50 homes, mobile homes and cabins.

Forest Service investigators determined it to be human-caused, possibly started by hunters, but no suspects were ever caught.