Infrared mapping shows Dog Head Fire at 16,751 acres; more National Guard being brought in

The Dog Head Fire raging in the northern Manzano Mountains has grown to 16,751 acres, according to the latest infrared mapping done by fire officials.

The latest evacuation map from Bernalillo County can be found by clicking here. Any residents who have to return to an area under mandatory evacuation orders will have to check with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department beforehand and will have to show ID.

Gov. Susana Martinez announced at a community meeting in Tijeras during the afternoon that more National Guard service members were being brought in to help fight the fire. There had been 40 dispatched to the fire as of Thursday night.

So far the fire, in its fourth day, destroyed 24 homes and 21 other buildings in Bernalillo and Torrance counties. Many of the lost homes were in Torrance County, according to fire officials.

There is still no containment and 628 personnel have responded. Officials at the main command post say close to 1,000 firefighters are expected to be at the fire by Friday night.

The transition to a Type-1 crew, which includes the most-experienced crews, will likely occur Saturday.

The blaze continues its easterly movement and is 12 miles due west of McIntosh and 11 miles southwest of Edgewood. It is holding on south and west of State Highway 337 and ½ mile west of Chilili.

The Sandia Ranger District has closed lands, roads and trails south of I-40 in the ranger district. A full list of trail and road closures in the area can be found here.

Below is a map of the boundaries of the fire and hot spots as of 7:06 a.m. Friday. If you’re on a mobile device, click here.

COMMUNITY MEETINGS HELD IN TIJERAS AND ESTANCIA

Two community meetings will be held this evening. The first was held at Roosevelt Middle School in Tijeras at 4:30 p.m. The gym where the meeting was held was almost at capacity just before the meeting started.

Gov. Martinez announced that more National Guard troops are being brought in.

Officials also reiterated to people who had evacuated but are concerned about looting at their homes that about 20 deputies and 30 National Guard members are patrolling the area and protecting homes. Officials said there have been no reported burglaries thus far.

The East Torrance Soil & Water Conservation District Complex Building at 700 10th St. in Estacia hosts another meeting at 7 p.m. That meeting was originally scheduled to take place at the Estancia Courthouse but changed locations.

EVACUATIONS STILL IN PLACE

In Bernalillo County, mandatory evacuations remain in effect from the Anaya Road-Highway 337 junction southward to the Torrance County line. The evacuation zone includes Chilili, Escobosa, Los Seis Hermanos Estates, Marianette Ranch Estates, Yrisarri and Pondreosa Pines.

Voluntary evacuations are in place for the area two miles east of the mandatory evacuation zone.

The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department wrote on Twitter NM 337 remains closed at 217. Deputies completed the evacuation in the area but will stay on patrol.

Torrance County also has mandatory evacuations from the county line south to State Highway 55 and from Highway 337 to the west.

“Don’t refuse a mandatory evacuation. You have to leave your home. Your life cannot be replaced,” New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez said Thursday after surveying the fire by air. “Don’t take any of those unnecessary risks because you are also putting others at risk.”

Several resources are available for residents and evacuees. Click here for that information.

On Thursday, the National Weather Service implemented an air quality alert for central New Mexico, including the Albuquerque metro area. Dr. Yohannes Tesfaigz from Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute discussed the danger with KOB.

CONGRESSWOMAN UPDATED ON FIRE SITUATION

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who represents the First Congressional District, visited the Dog Head Fire Command Center at Estancia High School Friday morning. She also attended a co-operating agency meeting at the county courthouse.

“We’ve got federal resources to deal with the fire and continue to manage this emergency,” she said. “Now we need the other resources because that federal effort, that declaration, is not going to replace property or livestock.”

Lujan Grisham said she plans to spearhead the effort for federal assistant in tackling the fire. That includes her staff from Albuquerque and Washington to the area for support.

She praised the firefighters for their efforts.

“They’ve really minimized the loss of complete homes, which is incredible,” she said. “But nonetheless your property – farmers, ranchers or homesteaders – is damaged and destroyed.”

VOLUNTEERS SET UP TO HELP

A full list of people offering services for people and animals can be found here. It also has needs for various shelters for people wanting to donate goods or services.

At the Los Vecinos shelter in Tijeras, the Southern Baptist Convention organized a portable kitchen to provide evacuees with food. The kitchen can serve 5,000 people, but volunteers expect only around 100 Friday night for a spaghetti dinner.

The kitchen and volunteers will be at the shelter providing meals throughout the weekend. On Sunday, they will determine if they are needed beyond that.

“We’re able to help people that are in need,” volunteer Barbara Long said. “And so, you know, we’re providing a basic need that they have. But we’re also here if they need to talk.”

The New Mexico State Fairgrounds in Albuquerque is now open to accept all livestock evacuations, including fowl.