Some Dog Head Fire evacuees begin to return home; fire 61 percent contained

Some residents of Torrance and Bernalillo counties who were forced to evacuate their homes because of the Dog Head Fire returned to their properties Tuesday morning as authorities eased some evacuation orders, and more are set to return Wednesday.

People living in Torrance County south of La Para were able to head home starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Some Bernalillo County residents are also being allowed home, though some people living near Chilili have not yet been allowed back.

Post-evacuation return plans from Bernalillo County can be found here. The Department of Health has also issued an outline of precautions people returning home need to take. Click here to view.

At a 4:30 p.m. community meeting, officials said remaining residents of Bernalillo and Torrance counties will be able to return home Wednesday morning except for people who live on Aceves Road, La Para or in Manzano Morning. Officials said the meeting will likely be the last.

Sheriff’s deputies, National Guard and state police officers are stationed along main roads to check people’s identification as they return home.

PNM also Tuesday morning began reconnecting power to 368 customers in the mandatory evacuation zone who have been without power since last Tuesday, when it was cut to help firefighters and avoid further sparks.

The company will start with customers near NM 14 and will work toward 217 and south toward Chilili.

The state says several road closures will remain in place Tuesday: Raquel Road from Escabosa south to the Bernalillo County line will be closed.

People in the northeastern evacuation areas will have to return from the northeast.

Gov. Susana Martinez announced Tuesday she has directed the state Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to begin its recovery plan. She toured several burned-out properties Tuesday.

Gov. Martinez said Monday some looters had been caught and will be prosecuted. National Guard members remain at the scene to prevent further looting.

There was some confusion about that statement Tuesday morning, as both Bernalillo County and Torrance County initially denied any arrests were made. But BCSD confirmed Tuesday afternoon there were people that had been in communication with Torrance County who told dispatch that there were four suspicious people in the area.

Torrance County did intervene and issued citations for obstruction, an official said Tuesday.

An updated map of hot spots and the perimeter of the fire as of early Monday can be seen below. If you’re on a mobile device, click here to view.

FIRE REACHES 61 PERCENT CONTAINMENT

The fire reached 61 percent containment by Tuesday night and is estimated at 17,912 acres.

Officials said Monday the fire was human-caused but said they are still investigating the exact cause. The fire has burned 24 homes and 21 other structures over the past week.

Officials said the 938 personnel currently working the fire will again work Wednesday to maintain the perimeter and mop up hot spots.

A fire official estimated Monday afternoon the fire has so far cost around $4.5 million.

Gov. Martinez announced Monday she has requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency to perform damage assessments to the affected communities in order to determine if any extra assistance will be needed.

Both the money estimate and the additional FEMA requests come on the heels of state of emergency declarations both by the state and Bernalillo County, which will free up federal and local funds to help fight the fire. The state of emergency declaration by the state means federal funds will cover 75 percent of costs associated with helping fight the fire.