Smoky weekend expected in Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The smoke over Albuquerque didn't look quite as bad Friday afternoon, but by late evening it came back in full force lingering well into Saturday morning.

A time-lapse video image from the News 13 camera on the Sandia Crest showed what looked like a fog bank rolling into San Francisco. Instead it was smoke from the Wallow Fire in eastern Arizona near the New Mexico border.

(For photo gallery of wildfire smoke pictures submitted to KRQE.com, please click here .)

The Wallow Fire has burned 165 square miles, forced the evacuation of several small communities, closed U.S. Highway 180 and is still going strong.

The fire has now become the fourth largest wildfire in Arizona history.

The National Weather Service said it expects the smoke in the Albuquerque area to disperse gradually during the morning and possibly return during the evening. Visibility could be cut to 1-3 miles especially in Albuquerque and the South Valley, according to the Weather Service.

Additionally the forecast includes the possibility of severe thunderstorms producing large hail and damaging winds forming along the east slopes of the state's central mountain chair and moving eastward into the plains and highlands.

Because of all this smoke being blown into metro Albuquerque, a public health alert was issued for the entire weekend.

Health officials say the best way to avoid any problems is to stay inside and keep all doors and windows closed.

Still, a lot of people will be heading outdoors, so health expert also suggested minimizing exercise.

They also said if this smoke really affects you to watch it with your swamp cooler because that will bring outdoor air into your home.

Another concern is for pets, Animal Humane of New Mexico said the smoke is just as dangerous for animals as it is for humans.

In fact some pet parents at the dog park Saturday said they had a noticed a change in their animals behavior since the smoke rolled in.

“She did lay around all day today, but part of that I think is also the heat so, it’s probably a combination of things, but she definitely is laying around more,” said Julie Gutmann.

Animal Humane said it’s a good idea to limit your pets time outdoors while the smoke hangs around.

Meanwhile the Osha fire burning in the Carson National Forest about near Vadito about 20 miles southeast of Taos and is now 15 percent contained.

It has burned about 700 acres so far but fire activity is expected to be moderate. The fire had been estimated at 1,200 acres before fire managers mapped it.

Firefighters will continue to battle this blaze over the weekend. The Forest Service is now estimating full containment by June 15.

State Road 518 remains closed from SR 75 to SR 434 because of the fire.

Taking a look at some other wildfires burning around New Mexico:

• The Riverside Fire burning 12 miles northeast of Hondo is now 50 percent contained. It has burned about 2,500 acres so far.
   
• The Miller Fire about 25 miles north of Silver City has charred 89,000 acres since it started in late April. It is now 95 percent contained and is being called the largest fire in New Mexico history.
   
• In far southeastern Arizona the Horseshoe Two Fire has now charred more than 90,000 acres and is 50 percent contained. On Friday flames reached the evacuated community of Paradise where firefighters were able to save all threatened property.
  The effort to protect property around Paradise and East Turkey Creek Road continued on Saturday.  A community meeting on the fire is planned for 6 p.m. Saturday at the community center in nearby Rodeo, N.M.