Progress on containment and ongoing community protection efforts.

Daily Update July 17th, 2025

Acres: 15,714                                                               Start Date: 06/25/2025

Location: Gallina, NM                                                 Cause: Lightning

Personnel: 286                                                             Fuels: Oak brush, Piñon-juniper, and mixed conifer

Containment: 44%

Resources: 4 crews | 9 engines | 3 helicopters | 1 unmanned aircraft system | 3 water tenders | 2 dozer | 4 ambulance

Highlights: Firefighters remain focused on securing containment lines, scouting containment line opportunities and reinforcing structure protection in areas at risk. The increase in fire behavior yesterday will be moderated by higher humidity and chance of rain that is predicted for today, providing firefighters an opportunity to assess containment options while fire behavior is slower.

Fire Activity: Fire crews made steady progress yesterday across several areas of the fire. On the north end, they completed road improvements and advanced containment work along Forest Service Road 474. To the south, crews repaired and reinforced fence lines on properties impacted by the fire. Firefighters also made gains on the eastern portion of the fire, where they added containment along the western ridge of La Presa Canyon. Although the fire area received little rain, gusty and erratic winds were present throughout the day.

Fire activity is expected to remain moderate today, particularly on the eastern portion of the fire near La Presa Canyon. This area continues to be a top priority due to its steep terrain and importance as a watershed. Crews will continue to strengthen road-based containment lines on the northern perimeter and patrol the Rio Gallina drainage for opportunities to slow or stop fire spread. Work will also include reinforcing structure protection already in place at Gallina Ranch and begin at the Monastery. Today the unmanned aircraft system (UAS) group will focus on providing aerial reconnaissance to support along the northeastern edge of the fire as crews continue to look for containment strategies along that perimeter.

Weather and Smoke: An increased chance of scattered storms is expected in the fire area today with improved humidity compared to yesterday. Erratic wind gusts are likely in the afternoon, along with sudden wind shifts, lightning and brief heavy rainfall. Smoke from the Laguna Fire and fires in the surrounding areas, including Colorado, will likely be visible in the surrounding areas for many days. Please use caution when driving in the area. Smoke outlook information is available at outlooks.airfire.org/outlook and air quality information for your area can be found at www.airnow.gov

Closures, Flight Restrictions and Evacuations: A closure order is in place for USFS lands in the area. To view the complete order, visit www.fs.usda.gov/r03/santafe/alerts/laguna-wildfire-closure-order. For current TFR maps, visit tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=list Gallina Ranch remains in GO evacuation status, and the Monastery of Christ in the Desert remains in SET status. For complete information on evacuations in New Mexico, visit www.emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/fire- prevention-programs/ready-set-go-new-mexico/

Laguna Fire Incident Phone Number: 575-323-8964 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmsnf-laguna-wildfire Email: 2025.laguna@firenet.gov

Links to further information can be found at https://linktr.ee/Incident_links?utm_source=qr_code