AFD puts out 2 bosque fires near NHCC
Blazes completely extinguished after burning three acres
The Albuquerque Fire Department fought two fires in the bosque Tuesday afternoon near the National Hispanic Cultural Center at Fourth and Bridge SW.
AFD Spokesman Tom Ruiz said both fires were completely extinguished by 8:30 p.m. after burning three acres.
Earlier Tuesday, Mayor Tim Keller, flanked at a news conference by AFD Cmdr. Brian Fox and Fire Chief Paul Dow, said no structures were in danger and no evacuations necessary, but an air quality alert was issued due to the ensuing smoke.
Fox said the cause of the fire is unknown and under
investigation.
He said fire crews responded to the fires, both of which were on the south side of Bridge and east side of the river, around 1:30 p.m. in an “aggressive ground attack” of 12 fire trucks and more than 30 firefighters.
Crews from the Bernalillo County, Rio Rancho and Corrales fire departments assisted.
Dow touched on the public’s “shared responsibility” to keep the bosque safe with “very dry” conditions as we head into the windy season.
The area is under Stage 1 fire restrictions, which means no smoking, open flames, fireworks or camping.
Aside from camping, the same restrictions will go into effect for the Sandia and Mountainair ranger districts on April 18, the Forest Service announced Tuesday.
Clouds of smoke billowed into the sky from south of Bridge as fire crews shut down the walking path near the river and emergency vehicles clustered the area. A helicopter buzzed back and forth, scooping water from the nearby river to douse the blazes.