Major Brush Fire - 06/03/11 - Kirtland, NM

On June 3rd, 2001 at 13:29 hours San Juan County Fire Department (SJCFD) District 1 (Valley) Firefighters were dispatched to a report of a brush fire in the area of mile marker 22 on Navajo Route 36. The fire was burning along the south side of the San Juan River in the Upper Fruitland area of Kirtland, NM. Seeing a large column of smoke, District 1 Chief Donovan Mack requested a mutual aid response from the Farmington Fire Department (FFD). FFD Engine 6 and Brush 6 were initially dispatched, but when FFD Battalion Chief Jim Candelaria saw the loom up coming from the area of the fire he bumped the assignment up to include FFD Engine 1 and Brush 1.

First arriving units were faced with an approximately 5 acre fire that was spreading to the east and west of the area of fire origin. Extra resources were requested from San Juan County Fire Districts 14 (Ojo Amarillo), 4 (LaPlata), and 6 (Lee Acres). A unified command was established with B/C Candelaria, D/C Mack, and SJCFD Chief Doug Hatfield. The incident was split into two divisions to facilitate communications and accountability, and the Safety Officer position was activated. High temperatures, low humidity, and gusty winds caused the fire to continue to spread.

Added wildland fire resources were ordered up from the Bureau of Land Management in Farmington, Bureau of Indian Affairs in Shiprock, and a Helitack Crew from the Ute Mountain Agency in Towaoc, CO. Supplementary SJCFD units and personnel were also requested and responded from Districts 3 (Cedar Hill), 7 (Center Point), and 8 (Hart Valley). The fire eventually grew to approximately 15 acres. A sustained fire fight resulted in containment around 18:00 hours. Resources remained on scene mopping up hotspots into the night.