Unified Fire prompts evacuations, closes roads south of Belen

VALENCIA COUNTY, NM — A fireplace is rapidly rising south of Belen and has prompted street closures and evacuations Tuesday.

The Unified Fire has now burned round 500 acres within the space of ​​Highway 304 and Lagrima Road. The freeway is closed between Lucero Drive and Barbara Street.

As of 8 pm the fireplace was 0% contained and situated on either side of the Rio Grande.

Fire crews from across the area are responding. The fireplace is described as a “Type 3” incident, that means the New Mexico State Forestry division might be taking on the response Wednesday morning.

No accidents have been reported, and no constructions have been misplaced as of 8 pm

Residents on Madrone Flyway are in “GO” standing for evacuation. Madrone is a block north of Lagrima, which the Valencia County Fire Chief stated can also be beneath evacuation.

First responders warn that additional evacuations might be ordered in a single day. Information on evacuations will first be posted on social media for Valencia County and Rio Communities.

Galloping Goat Pumpkin Patch reviews it needed to evacuate over 200 goats that they had within the space.

Power reduce off to some houses

PNM needed to reduce distribution traces that had been affected by fireplace. There are roughly 265 houses with out energy.

If you should not have energy and must plug in medical gear or a cooling station please go to the Belen Recreation Center.

Update from fireplace crews

Tuesday outlook

According to Chief Meteorologist Eddie Garcia, gentle and variable winds within the space will flip extra northwesterly Tuesday afternoon, staying at round 7-10 mph. A stray style of 10 to fifteen mph is not out of the query late within the afternoon.

Light northerly winds arrive Tuesday night time and persist into Wednesday morning. Humidity will fall to 10% this afternoon, alongside excessive temperatures close to 90 levels.