RRFR sends equipment to help Socorro Bosque Fire

SOCORRO — The Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue wildland division deployed equipment to assist with a bosque fire near Socorro April 27.

The Otero fire was discovered at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 27, in the bosque area east of Socorro. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Rio Rancho is one of many assisting in the fire.

"RRFR wildland team not only supports national wildfire emergencies but is a major asset in state wildfire emergencies as well," RRFR stated on social media.

RRFR spokesperson Sean Gerdemann said they deployed the Dozer 4 support truck and personnel to run it.

"The dozer is an important piece of equipment as it allows a fire line to be built much quicker and much larger than traditional hand crews. Dozer 4 is a specialized piece of equipment and is therefore requested often for incidents," he said.

The fire was reported at around 405 acres as of April 29, according to New Mexico Fire Information website.

The update is that crews were able to strengthen fire lines April 28 on the fire’s west portion and raise the Otero Fire’s containment to 20%. Most of the fire activity was found on the southern portion of the fire, and on April 29, crews continued focusing efforts on extinguishing interior heat and strengthening containment lines all around the fire’s footprint.

"Winds today could potentially produce some ash around the fire area, and the public is encouraged to continue avoiding the area while response crews perform their duties. This will be the final notification on this fire unless there are significant changes," it reads.