No Containment Yet as Crews Face Challenging Terrain; Cultural Sites May Be at Risk
MT. TAYLOR RANGER DISTRICT, N.M. — The Vereda Blanca Fire, burning in a remote area northeast of Grants near Black Mesa, has grown to 1,000 acres with zero percent containment as of Saturday evening. The wildfire, first reported on August 8 at 7:31 a.m., remains under full suppression strategy, with firefighters working to establish control lines in rugged terrain.
Officials say the cause of the fire is still undetermined. The blaze has spread off the mesa into drainage areas on both the north and south flanks, complicating ground operations. Fire behavior remains moderate, but hot, dry conditions and increased winds have led to short-range spotting and expanded acreage…