Dark Canyon Fire in Lincoln National Forest grows to over 1,300 acres

A fire in the Lincoln National Forest has consumed 1,324 acres in the Smokey Bear Ranger District.

Dubbed the "Dark Canyon Fire," the blaze was ignited by lightning on Aug. 4 northwest of Capitan. It is currently only 10 percent contained.

About 120 firefighting personnel are working on suppression in an area north of Tucson Mountain, east of Lake Mountain and South of Forest Service Road 9743, according to a news release from the U.S. Forest Service.

Daily temperatures over 80 degrees and a lack of moisture led to increased fire activity, Forest Service officials said. The National Weather Service predicted only a 10 to 20 percent chance of rain for the area on Thursday and Friday, with winds blowing about 10 miles per hour.

"The fire moved north from Carrizo Cone, south into Blanchard Canyon and west towards Lake Mountain," the news release read.

Crews were preparing fire lines near Blancahrd Canyon, along Road 84. That includes areas near private land within the affected area.

The Forest Service said bulldozer lines were constructed Aug. 12 from Tucson Mountain eastward.

PREVIOUSLY:Dark Canyon Fire grows to 450 acres

Future fire line work will be undertaken near Forest Service Rd 9732 connecting to Forest Service Rd 9745, west of the Lacey Ranch area.

Smoke from the fire and from the fire line work may be visible to area residents in Capitan and Devil's Canyon and motorists on Highway 380 and Highway 246.

Currently there are three engines, two Type-2 initial attacks crews and one Type-1 crew assigned to battle the fire. A bulldozer, medic team and two resource advisors are also assigned to the fire.

Find further fire information at nmfireinfo.com. 

Jessica Onsurez can be reached at jonsurez@currentargus.com, @JussGREAT on Twitter, and by phone at 575-628-5531.