According to the evening update from the fire’s official incident page, the wildfire had grown to 16,194 acres by Tuesday night and was listed at 7% containment.
Source: Seven Cabins Fire (via Facebook)
Photos: Courtesy
The Seven Cabins Fire continued to grow Tuesday, but firefighters appear to be gaining traction as calmer weather and increased aerial support helped crews strengthen containment lines around the blaze in the Capitan Mountains.
According to the evening update from the fire’s official incident page, the wildfire had grown to 16,194 acres by Tuesday night and was listed at 7% containment. Nearly 800 personnel are now assigned to the fire.
Firefighters reported improved progress on the north side of the fire, where lower winds and higher humidity allowed crews to hold fire growth and begin mop-up operations along portions of the northwest perimeter. On the south side, crews continued constructing containment lines while aerial ignition operations were used to steer fire activity toward natural barriers, including a rock scree field, in an effort to slow additional spread.
Earlier Tuesday afternoon, officials noted that improving weather conditions allowed firefighting aircraft to operate more effectively. Two additional helicopters were added to the firefight and immediately began assisting crews on the southern edge of the incident.
The fire — burning in the Capitan Mountain Wilderness north of Capitan — was estimated at 15,858 acres during the morning briefing and remained 0% contained at that time. Officials say the fire was human caused and is burning through heavy dead fuels within the Peppin burn scar area.
A Southwest Area Complex Incident Management Team led by Incident Commander Caleb Finch officially assumed command of the incident as firefighting operations expanded.
Crews continue working to improve control lines along the north and west sides of the fire using hand crews and heavy equipment. Additional fuel reduction work, including chipping and mastication, is underway on the southern perimeter to create deeper defensible lines ahead of potential fire movement.
Fire managers said aviation operations have faced challenges from turbulence, shifting winds and high temperatures in the mountainous terrain. Even so, federal resources assigned to the incident now include heavy helicopters, fixed-wing retardant tankers, super scoopers and unmanned aircraft systems.
Evacuation orders remain in effect along portions of State Highway 246 between mile marker 13 and Boy Scout Mountain, where residents remain under GO status evacuations. Additional nearby areas remain under SET status warnings.
State Highway 246 also remains closed between mile marker 19 north of Capitan and Mark Road in Chavez County. A closure order remains in effect for the Capitan Mountains Wilderness and surrounding forest areas, while a temporary flight restriction remains active over the fire area to protect firefighting aircraft.
Officials continue urging drivers to use caution around firefighting equipment and personnel, especially during overnight operations.
More information, maps and updates are available through the official Seven Cabins Fire InciWeb page and the Lincoln National Forest Facebook page.
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