Wildfire sparked by plane crash grows to 16,000 acres in New Mexico

A wildfire sparked by a medical transport plane crash that killed four people in New Mexico has grown to more than 16,000 acres, with hundreds of firefighters working to contain the fire in the Capitan Mountains, accoridng to officials.

The Seven Cabins Fire started on May 14 after a King Air operated by Trans Aero MedEvac crashed in the Capitan Mountains region near Ruidoso while flying from Roswell to Sierra Blanca Regional Airport for a medical transport mission. All four people on board were killed.

The fire has burned 16,443 acres in the Capitan Mountain Wilderness and was 6% contained as of Wednesday, according to New Mexico Fire Information. A total of 843 personnel are assigned to the fire.

Crews are carrying out mop-up operations inside the fire’s containment area, using hand tools and their hands to feel for heat on the ground and locate hidden hotspots. Firefighters were also working along the northwest side of the fire to reinforce holding features and limit additional growth.

Helicopters have been dropping water along the southern perimeter as crews strengthen control lines. On the western side of the incident, a spot fire was found and contained at 63 acres.

Officials said crews were still finalizing a plan to slow growth on the eastern side of the fire. Firefighters are using natural features to temporarily slow the spread while evaluating and improving control lines west of Arabela.

Evacuations are in effect from State Highway 246 to the ridge top of the Capitan Mountains, between mile marker 13 and Boy Scout Mountain. Residents in that area have been told to leave for their safety.

Residents southeast of the fire should expect visible smoke and a large plume, officials said. A temporary flight restriction is in place around the fire to keep firefighting aircraft operating safely, and officials warned that any drone entering the airspace would force aircraft to be grounded.

Fire conditions improved in some lower-elevation fuels after a cold front increased moisture in fine dead fuels, but officials said mountain ridges and larger fuels had not been affected by the humidity. Winds were expected to shift from the southeast to the southwest as humidity dropped during the day.