Brush Fire Causes Closure, Evacuation at Carlsbad Caverns

A mid-afternoon fire near Carlsbad Caverns National Park forces the evacuation of visitors and employees.

According to National Park officials on the scene, park employees reported a fire at 4:30 Monday afternoon. The employees were in a ‘backcountry’ area of the park, and notified park fire crews. Firefighters rushed to the area and an incident command post was quickly established.

National Park officials closed the park and Cavern area, and evacuated park visitors and employees. Paula J. Bauer, Management Assistant for the park, says the evacuations will remain in place “until the situation is clear and safe.”

Bauer added that the park would reopen when conditions are safe.

Officials say the fire, now named the Loop Fire, has burned about 500 acres.