A few lingering showers and storms are continuing to move through southern and western New Mexico this morning. Shower and storm chances will intensify once again as we head through this afternoon and evening.

Drier weather begins to move into the state this weekend. We will still see another active afternoon of storms on Saturday, but drier air will begin moving into western and northwestern New Mexico, while the northeastern part of the state has a better chance for rain. These storms will again taper off Saturday night, with another crop of afternoon storms on Sunday. However, Sunday will be significantly drier, with only a few storms in southwest New Mexico.

Storm chances remain low and isolated into early next week, but a few afternoon storms will still develop, especially in western New Mexico and across some mountain peaks of the central mountain chain. Temperatures will also be heating up next week, with highs in the 90s and triple-digits by Tuesday afternoon. A more traditional monsoon pattern will also start to set up by the middle of next week, bringing higher chances of afternoon storms. Widespread 90s and triple-digit heat is also expected next Wednesday and Thursday.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 – Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.

RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham presented the state Medal of Valor to three New Mexico National Guardsmen for saving people during the storms. Staff Sgt. David Perez, Sgt. Carlos Mendoza and Specialist Roberto Veledias were clearing debris and moving heavy equipment with three other guardsmen on June 29 when floodwaters threatened four people.

Albuquerque Fire Rescue shares video of last week’s flooding in Ruidoso

Perez and Veledias rescued the four people while Mendoza got another guardsman out of danger.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 – Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.

Friday, July 26, 2024

Location: Northwest corner of the Santa Fe National Forest in the Cuba Ranger District, approximately 27 miles north of Cuba, NM.

Start Date: July 18, 2024

Size: 2,745 acres with a planned perimeter of 7,000 acres

Percent completed: 35 %

Cause: Lightning

Vegetation: The wildfire is burning in ponderosa pine, pinyon-juniper, and oak.

Resources: 36 personnel including aerial resources

Overview: Santa Fe National Forest will manage the fire as a Type 3 incident with a confine and contain strategy.  This means crews will manage the fire within a predetermined area (confine) and use points to stop the fire’s spread (contain). To accomplish this strategy, crews will conduct firing operations using aerial and hand ignitions within a 7000-acre planned perimeter as early as July 25 and use roads, hand lines, and natural barriers as containment lines.

The fire is burning in the Moya National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) project area and a landscape that has been thinned and treated with prescribed fire in the past. The primary objectives for the Tanques Wildfire are to provide for firefighter and public safety and improve wildlife habitat.

Highlights: Fire held within the fire perimeter overnight. Today, aerial ignitions, conducted by a helicopter, continue within the project area. Crews are managing fire activity and preparing for thunderstorms later this evening.

Weather: After a relatively calm night Thursday night, an uptick in afternoon thunderstorm activity in the fire area is forecast Friday through the weekend.

Closure Order: A temporary area and road closure is in effect to protect the public’s health and safety during firefighting operations for the Tanques Wildfire. The closure order is available on the Santa Fe National Forest’s website – Closure Order 03-10-02-24-11 .

Safety: The health and safety of firefighter and the public are always the highest priority. Please avoid the area while crews manage the Tanques Wildfire. Drones and firefighting aircraft are a dangerous mix and could lead to accidents or slow down wildfire operations. If you fly, we can’t.

Smoke: Smoke may be visible from communities along Highway 112 including El Vado and Llaves, NM and from the Jicarilla Apache Nation Indian Reservation. View an interactive smoke map on AirNow Fire and Smoke Map. To learn more about smoke impacts visit Wildfire and Prescribed Fire Smoke Resources (nm.gov).

Fire Information:

Contact Claudia Brookshire, Public Affairs Officer, Santa Fe National Forest

Phone: 505-607-0879 (available from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm)

Email: claudia.brookshire@usda.gov

Links: Santa Fe National Forest website, New Mexico Fire Info, Inciweb, and Santa Fe National Forest social media (Facebook and X).

Tanques Wildfire updates will be provided weekly.

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