Wildland Fire Causes Evacuations in North West New Mexico
Photo by Tom AurnhammerSmoke Conditions along South 1st Street at Bloomfield, NM Wildland Fire
Photo by Tom AurnhammerFirefighters Encountered a Wind Driven Wildland Fire
Photo by Tom AurnhammerDry fuel and Gusty Winds Fed the Flames
Photo by Tom AurnhammerBloomfield’s Tender One Provides Water for the Fire Attack
Photo by Tom AurnhammerLadder One Utilizes the Aerial to Protect a Natural Gas Well Off South 2nd Street
Photo by Tom AurnhammerSan Juan County Fire Department Division Chief David Vega Surveys the Area
Photo by Tom AurnhammerFire Travel into a Soccer Field on the East Side of the Incident
Photo by Tom AurnhammerFirefighters Conducted a Backfiring Operation to Remove Hazardous Fuels in the Area
BLOOMFIELD, NM - On January 20th, 2018 at approximately 15:46 hours, Bloomfield Fire Units that were out on another assignment reported seeing a large column of smoke in the area of South 1st Street. At the same time fire dispatchers started receiving reports of a large brush fire in the swamp area east of the Sonya's Cooking, a restaurant located at 2001 Bloomfield Highway. The fire sparked a large response from Northeast San Juan County fire departments, including the City of Farmington and surrounding County Fire Districts. Homes south of Ash Street were evacuated around 16:17 hours.
According to San Juan County Fire Chief Craig Daughtery, the fire burned approximately 40 to 50 acres. No injuries and no structure damage occurred. Bloomfield Fire Chief John Mohler stated that the area the fire burned, east of US Highway 550 and south of West Piñon Street, contained a large amount of combustible vegetation. Evacuated residents were allowed to return to their homes around 18:40 hours. High wind conditions ahead of a cold front caused this fire to rapidly move through the area.
Northwest New Mexico has been experiencing a lack of moisture this winter, with dry fuels and gusty winds creating a “perfect storm” for this wildfire to grow. The quick actions of the responding firefighters kept the fire away from exposed structures, was well as a natural gas well behind the Bloomfield Boys and Girls Club on South 2nd Street. While the fire was contained around 19:30 hours, firefighters continued working, conduct backfiring operations to mitigate some of the remaining dry fuels. The Bloomfield Fire Department is investigating the cause of this incident.
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