Dark Canyon Fire grows to 300 acres

The Dark Canyon Fire on the Smokey Bear Ranger District near Capitan has grown to 300 acres.

The fire started when lightning struck in a canyon drainage filled with Ponderosa pine at about 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 4.

"Smoke will be visible from Highway 380 and Highway 246, a Lincoln National Forest press release states. 

Due to monsoon rains, wet vegetation and forest debris will produce white smoke that is expected to drift towards Ramon and Vaughn, the press release states.

More:Dark Canyon Fire grows to 30 acres

Since the fire is smoldering and the area forecast includes rains, fire crews will hold the fire along east of the 9743 Road and north of the 1056 Road.

The fire is nine miles northwest of Capitan north of Tuscon Mountain. 

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The fire could possibly harm private land in the vicinity of the fire, according to a Lincoln National Forest press release.

The fire zone has trees that were blown down during high winds. These downed trees pose a hazard to fire personnel due to low moisture levels in dead timber.

"The fire is burning with low intensity, meaning it is consuming needle litter, pine cones, and fallen trees primarily on the forest floor and is not scorching the tops of the trees," a Lincoln National Forest press release states.

Historically, low-intensity fires were common in the southwest, happening about every 10-35 years and considered a normal part of the forest ecosystem, the press release states.

Fire updates will occur daily on the Dark Canyon Fire until no longer warranted.

Fire information will be posted on www.nmfireinfo.com.

Nicole Maxwell can be contacted by email at nmaxwell@alamogordonews.com, by phone at 575-415-6605 or on Twitter at @nicmaxreporter.