Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4 Assumes Command of Rincon Fire

By SFNF

Highlights: The Southwest Area Type 2 IncidentManagement Team 4, led by Incident Commander Carl Schwope, assumed command of the Rincon Fire this morning, Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 6:00 AM. A Type 2 Incident Management Team brings additional resources and management capabilities to manage the increasinglycomplex fire.

Operations: On Monday, fire managers from the incoming team completed reconnaissance flights over the fire area to increase their awareness and help better inform their plan moving forward. A 10-person crew successfully completed a mission to protect Beatty’s Cabin, along with two other Forest Service administrative sites. The crew used protective layers of aluminum foil and insulation to “wrap” these important structures to protect against radiant heat and burning embers, if the fire moves in their direction. As the new team takes command of the fire suppression efforts, fire managers will develop strategies to contain the fire within the wilderness boundary. Firefighters will be challenged by steep terrain, limited access, and large expanses of dead and dying trees weakened by insect infestations. Fire managers will direct special attention to protecting the many valuable resources in the area, including multiple watersheds, endangered species and their habitat, and cultural resources.

 

Weather: A storm system to the north and east will produce low-level winds from the south to southeast, increasing moisture over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will be possible each afternoon through the weekend. Gusty and erratic outflow winds are possible with any showers or thunderstorms.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public is the first priority. Members of the public are urged to stay away from the vicinity of the Rincon Fire. Backpackers planning to enter the Pecos Wilderness are advised to change their plans.

 

Restrictions: A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes unmanned aircraft, or drones. Unauthorized use of drones in a wildfire area endangers the lives of pilots and firefighters. Never fly an unmanned aircraft over or near a wildfire. See www.nifc.gov/drones for additional information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground. The Santa Fe National Forest expects to implement a closure order for a portion of the Pecos Wilderness in the near future.

Smoke: Smoke from the Rincon Fire is visible within a 100-mile radius of the fire. An interactive smoke map athttps://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into the Santa Fe area to see the latest smoke information. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

Fire updates will be posted on Inciweb, the SFNF Facebook and Twitter, SFNF website, and New Mexico Fire Information website.