According to a Facebook post by the Rio Rancho Police Department, RRPD is asking people to avoid the Bosque due to “intentional fires being set.” RRPD is asking anyone with information, or anyone who sees anything suspicious, to please call 911.
At around 7:20PM, Albuquerque Fire Rescue, Bernalillo Country Fire Rescue, Corrales Fire Department, and Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue responded to a fire in the Willow Creek area. Multiple fire crews are arriving to the area of Willow Creek Road Northeast & Shenandoah River Court Northeast. We can ascertain that at least twelve AFR units, including Brush Trucks, Wildland Units, Engine Trucks, Ladder Trucks, and a Battalion Commander, are working on this fire.
At least two fires have been reported, with one being at least 5 acres in size. At this time, we do not know if the any of the fires are contained. A couple of people have posted on social media that the fires were as close as a few blocks or 100 feet away from their properties.
We are posting this for people who might be in the vicinity or live nearby, and could be impacted.
A Red Flag warning is in effect for Albuquerque and Rio Rancho tomorrow due to expected sustained winds of 25-35 mph and gusts up to 50 mph. Additionally, the forecast predicts the relative humidity to be below 12%. Warmer temperatures and lower relative humidity make fuels, such as vegetation, more susceptible to ignition. If you ever see any suspicious behavior in the Bosque, you all advised to please call 911.
If we learn more about this situation or any possible evacuations, we will update you.
UPDATE:
An email arrived from the City of Albuquerque at 10:47 PM, alerting us to a Health Alert they are issuing due to smoke. Those with respiratory conditions in the City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County should limit outdoor activity. This health alert is effective from 5/20/2024 at 1:00 AM and it expires on 5/20/2024 at 10:00 AM. For more information on health alerts due to smoke go here: http://www.cabq.gov/airquality/trends/health-alert-information
UPDATE 2:
On Monday, May 20th, 2024, AFR sent out an update that said:
At approximately 8:00 p.m. on Sunday evening an AFR wildland response was requested for mutual aid by Rio Rancho Fire Department. AFR dispatched four type 6 brush trucks, one type 3 engine, two Wildland coordinators, and 2 two command staff Officers to the “Middle Rio Grande Fire” were Unified Command was established. Upon arrival AFR fire fighters integrated with several other fire departments and state resources to engage and control a fire in the bosque. Albuquerque Fire Rescue, Rio Rancho FD, Town of Bernalillo FD, Corrales FD, Cochiti Pueblo, Sandoval FD, State Forestry, Rio Rancho Police Department were among the resources on scene. Fire crews engaged an approximate one acre fire that included several spot fires that were believed to be human caused. Fire crews stopped the forward progress of the fire and would stay through the night for mop up and confirmation of extinguishment. Due to the expected high winds high temperatures and low humidity the next day, several contingency lines using bulldozers were cut around the fire to create fire brakes as an added measure of protection against any further flare ups. AFR units were cleared and back in the City of Albuquerque approximately at 12:30 a.m. Further information on the investigation and status of the fire may be obtained from Rio Rancho Fire Department.
At around 9:40 AM, Rio Rancho Police Department Posted on Facebook that:
All entrances to the Bosque Open Space in Rio Rancho are closed for Firefighters to monitor hot spots, and for fire prevention!
Please avoid all Bosque Open Spaces in Rio Rancho! If you see any suspicious behavior, please dial 911 immediately. If you have suspect information regarding who started the fires, please contact RRPD @ 505-891-7226. Thank you for your cooperation!
Thank you to Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue and all assisting agencies for your amazing work!
Should we learn any additional information about this fire, including if anyone was taken into custody, we will update you.
