Donaldson fire reaches 50% containment

HONDO, NM (KRQE) - As of Sunday morning the Donaldson fire has 50 percent containment and has burned 96,745 acres in the area of Hondo, NM which is 24,503 less than the Las Conchas fire at 121,248 acres with 11 percent containment.

The increase in acreage is mostly due to burnout operations and accurate aerial mapping.

Burnout operations south of Alamo Canyon Road and on the west side in Pajarito Flats were successful Saturday and the east and southeast sides of the fire perimeter have cooled and are showing minimal fire activity.

The Donaldson Fire is burning primarily on private property and also on Mesaclero-Apache Tribal lands, State Forestry, and Forest Service lands.

Crews will focus south of San Patricio Sunday working hot spots along the fire perimeter from Saturday’s burnout operations west towards Division Sierra. Burnout operations will continue in the Pajarito Flats area on the west perimeter.

Smoke from the Donaldson Fire may impact communities of Hondo, Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs, Capitan, Lincoln, Fort Stanton, Picacho, Tinnie, San Patricio, Glencoe, and other surrounding areas.

A voluntary evacuation and is still in effect for residents within Alamo Canyon Road area.

As the fire containment progresses, the risk of spotting and spreading will diminish.

A public meeting was held Saturday at 4 PM in San Patricio to provide an update on the Donaldson Fire. About 48 people were in attendance. Another meeting will be held Sunday at 4 PM at the San Patricio Community Center Hall.