Copyright 2006 Albuquerque Journal
By MIGUEL NAVROT
Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico)
CIBOLA NATIONAL FOREST, N.M. — Two small fires broke Tuesday night in the Sandia Mountains, causing evacuations and a state road closure.
Dubbed Mystery 1 and Mystery 2, the fires, which burned 5 acres, were 100 percent contained by Bernalillo County and U.S. Forest firefighters by 10 p.m., said Karen Takai, a spokeswoman for Sandia Ranger District.
The causes of the fires near the Doc Long Picnic Area are under investigation, she said. No one was injured.
The two fires sparked near the road and stayed low, creeping along in underbrush, Takai said. Firefighters hoped to have the blazes snuffed by midnight.
The fires closed N.M. 536, the Sandia Crest National Scenic Byway, and it remained closed late Tuesday. Authorities also directed people at Sandia Crest to leave the mountain.
Malinda and Frank Dempsey, who live about a mile south of where firefighters first gathered, saw the trucks and thought there was a car wreck. Minutes later, they smelled smoke.
“We’ve been waiting for this to happen,” Malinda Dempsey said. “They should have closed the entire forest.”
The couple moved to the area in 1985 and said they fear a fire could destroy their home and one acre of property.
On May 12, the Sandia Ranger district closed many areas of the forest. Several trails and sites, including Doc Long, remained open, although no fires, lanterns, stoves, outdoor smoking or heaters are allowed.
A passerby reported the fire at 8:12 p.m. and called authorities, Bernalillo County Fire Department Commander Tim Lett said.
Lett said a dozen firefighters in six firetrucks had reached the fires by 8:37 p.m. By 9 p.m., a dark crimson glow floated overhead and flames appeared to be moving uphill.
Lett said firefighters fought the blaze in ideal conditions - high humidity and low winds.
About two hours into extinguishing the blaze, Forest Service firefighters took control of the fire from the county.
Takai noted that hiking is prohibited in the area because forest officials don’t want anyone to get trapped in case of a fire.