04/30/2021
When you think of visiting Carlsbad, the first destination you likely consider is the world-famous caverns. But if that’s the only place you explore, you’re missing out on many other adventures! Let’s visit Carlsbad, starting with the caverns and then going above and beyond, finding more great outdoor opportunities where it is easy to be socially distant.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Perched high on a Permian bluff is the visitor center for Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Thanks to a unique geologic history, travelers today can explore the huge caverns that are decorated with breathtaking stalactites and stalagmites, draperies, ribbons, and popcorn. Water dripping into the limestone caverns across the millennia has slowly built these formations, a process that continues today.
Credit nmfireinfo.com / Lincoln National Forest
THREE RIVERS, N.M. Officials now put the size of a wildfire in southern-central New Mexico mountains at less than half of a previous estimate as they report progress in containing the blaze.
Officials said Friday that mapping of the fire after an aerial reconnaissance flight using infrared sensing put it at 5,557 acres. That s down from the previous estimate of 12,000 acres.
Officials cited damp conditions expected to lessen by Saturday as they said crews had the fire contained around 13% of its perimeter.
The fire started Monday and its cause remained under investigation. Evacuation notices were lifted Tuesday for most areas in the vicinity of the fire.
El Pasoans Should Avoid The Ruidoso Area As Wildfire Burns On
Three Rivers Fire
According to forestry officials, the fire broke out on Monday near the Three Rivers Campground, spreading almost to Ski Apache and into the Big Bonito area. Overnight into Tuesday, the fire doubled in size, spreading across 12,000 acres onto Mescalero Apache Tribal Land.
Last night the crew got some help thanks to Mother Nature as snow and rain fell in the area and are expecting more of the same conditions throughout today.
Over 200 crew personnel have been onsite attempting to extinguish the flames and are set to receive additional resources to help combat the fire.
12:45 p.m. update: Fire is still 12,000 acres and 5% contained.
The Type-1 Incident Management Team took command of the fire at 6 a.m. Crews have been divided into three divisions and will be focusing on constructing fire line on the south end of the fire, working their way to the east and north, a Lincoln National Forest update states. The southeastern portion of the fire is in particularly rough terrain, making firefighter’s work even more challenging for every mile of fire line they build. Despite harsh conditions, this area remains a top priority because of the multiple values at risk ahead of the fire, including homes and Ski Apache.
Rain, Snow Help Efforts to Fight New Mexico Wildfire
The Weather Channel 47 mins ago Ron Brackett and Jan Wesner Childs
Crews battling a wildfire burning in southern New Mexico got an assist from a second day of wetter weather on Wednesday. Rain and snow are falling again today, which is lessening fire activity, according to an update posted at 11 a.m. MDT. Up to a half inch of rain is expected on portion of the fire. Precipitation and higher humidity levels around 30% will slow the fire.
But officials warned that erratic winds along mountain ridges in the area of the fire were expected to continue.