Carlsbad Caverns Nat’l Park Reopens

Carlsbad Caverns National Park officials announced the park has resumed operations, beginning with Wednesday evening’s Bat Flight Program.

Although the park was closed to the public for the night, the visitor center and cave tours were scheduled to resume operations Thursday.

Wednesday afternoon, the fire that had already charred 30,000 acres was 60 percent contained.

Officials reopened Highway US62/180 Wednesday morning, the main north-south route between El Paso and Carlsbad after crews made progress fighting the fire despite the rugged terrain.

The ‘Loop Fire’ burning near Carlsbad Caverns National Park was first spotted shortly after 2pm Monday afternoon, burning in steep terrain 15 miles southwest of Carlsbad, NM. Officials are unsure of the cause of the fire.

Crews worked aggressively to secure the fire perimeter by conducting burnout operations on different section of the fire but specifically around the community of White City, NM.

Officials are asking persons with health or respiratory issues to take precautions, as the smoke from the fire will impact the communities of White’s City, Carlsbad, Artesia, and surrounding areas.