Fire at Guadalupe Mountains National Park ‘not a plane crash’

A fire at Guadalupe Mountains National Park was not caused by a small-plane crash, officials with National Parks Service said Friday.

FFA investigators concluded their investigation into the Dec. 18 fire at Guadalupe Peak and determined it was not a plane crash as initially believed, according to a National Parks Service news release.

Search crews did find debris from a small airplane, but park officials later identified as it a debris from an older crash

The cause of the fire is still unknown and remains under investigation, but rocky terrain and poor flying conditions have slowed investigations. However, the Interagency Fire Suppression Resources team that contained the fire and National Park Service Special Investigative Services concluded site investigations during the weekend.

Anyone with information on the fire is asked to call the Investigative Services Protection Tip Line at (888) 653-0009.

Park closures caused by the investigation have been lifted. All Pine Springs trails and the Pine Springs campground in the park have reopened, park officials said Friday.