EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – A brush fire burning near Fort Stanton in Lincoln County is now at 720 acres with 4 percent containment, the New Mexico State Forestry Division announced on Monday, May 26.

The fire ignited on Sunday, May 25, but the cause has not been determined.

Fort Stanton is about 30 miles northeast of Ruidoso.

The Forestry Division said most of the burned acres occurred on Sunday, as there was minimal fire spread on Monday.

Helicopters made targeted water drops on hot spots still smoldering. Fire crews worked to remove burning material near the control lines to reduce the chance of it escaping the control lines and reigniting. Smoke could still be seen in the area, the Forestry Division said.

The Forestry Division said the area affected by the fire is a specially managed area by the BLM and the State of New Mexico. 

The BLM-managed land is part of the Fort Stanton- Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area, and the state land involved in the fire is the historic fort, managed by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs.

Three historical structures were damaged at Fort Stanton, including two wooden structures from the 1930s built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and a gymnasium built in 1944 by German sailors who were picked up after their ship sunk, the Forestry Division said.

The Forestry Division said cloud cover, moderate temperatures, and milder winds helped to moderate fire behavior on Monday.

A thunderstorm warning is in effect for the area Monday evening, and there is a chance of rain again on Tuesday afternoon, May 27, the Forestry Division said.

The Forestry Division said evacuations remain for the Fort Stanton, Rob Jaggers Campground, and the Rio Bonito and West Mesa Road dispersed camping areas.

Fort Stanton is closed to the public. Highway 220 is closed in the Fort Stanton area, the Forestry Division said.

“BLM Roswell District, Lincoln County and the NM Forestry Division are all under fire restrictions or a burn ban. Campfires of any kind (wood, charcoal, wood stoves), chainsaw use, smoking outdoors, operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and welding are all prohibited,” read the news release by the Forestry Division.

To view full fire restrictions, click here.

Additionally, an interactive smoke map here allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.