Brandishing huge blazes that could be seen from a distance in the west, south and east; the recent fire in Soledad Canyon, high in the southern Organ mountains, was finally extinguished by Mother Nature with rain and snow after burning for two days.

Even as people noticed the huge area burning after sunset on February 28th the fires became more subdued before midnight.

It was not clear at first if the fire was on Bureau of Land Management or White Sands Missile Range lands. But, officials from WSMR indicated later that the fire was not on WSMR lands. No public structures or fixtures were in danger in the BLM area near the fire that included Long Canyon, Oak Canyon and Soledad Canyon.

The fire was allowed to burn itself out by local, state and federal officials including the military in Doņa Ana and El Paso counties did not need to intervene. However, the BLM did announce the area would be closed to the public which included the Soledad Canyon Day Use Area and the Achenbach Canyon. Dripping Springs was not expected to be closed nor was Aguirre Springs on the northeastern side of the Organs.

Saturday night the area received light rain and at elevations above 5,000 ft. received a light but substantial dusting of snow. The precipitation put out what was left of the fire. Smoke was not visible from the area on Sunday, March 2.

Prepared by UVB staff.

(Photos: Brax - Valley Publishing Company)

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