Wildfire burns 2 cabins, 360 acres in Lincoln National Forest
A wildfire in the Smokey Bear Ranger District of the Lincoln National Forest consumed 360 acres and burned two structures and a car.
The "Pine Lodge Fire" was at zero percent containment by Thursday afternoon, according to a news release from the National Forest Service.
The U.S. Forest Service confirmed that two privately owned cabins inside the Pine Lodge Recreation Residence Tract burned in the fire.
Officials have not said if other structures were at risk, but said they would task personnel and firefighters at the scene with securing the north side of the fire to prevent its spread into state and private lands.
The Pine Lodge Fire is located in the Capitan Mountains Wilderness, inside the burn scar of the 2004 Peppin Fire.
"Terrain is rough, rugged and rocky with a large amount of dead and down material from the Peppin Fire," the news release read.
The fire is consuming grass, pinon and juniper as well as mixed conifers found in the area.
Containment
Five engines were assigned to help contain the fire in a "full suppression" strategy. Additional resources are expected to help aid the two hotshot crews, water tender, dozer, helicopter and the Pecos Tye-3 team tasked with containment.
A Thursday update indicated that power to the area near Forest Service Road 130 was turned off to safeguard the approximate 35 firefighters and personnel assigned to the incident.
Several volunteers with Ecoservants working along the Capitan Peak Trail were evacuated from the area Wednesday. No injuries were reported.
The Recreation Residence Tract, which is currently not in use, has been restricted. The area is closed to the public.
Weather concerns
Winds were reported at 20 to 25 miles per hour in the area Wednesday, and are forecasted to remain breezy through the week.
The U.S. Forest Service said it will continue to monitor weather conditions and adjust containment strategies appropriately.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Jessica Onsurez can be reached at 575-628-5531, jonsurez@currentargus.com or @JussGREAT on Twitter.