BLM: Organ Fire grew overnight, containment at 10 percent Tuesday

The fire burning east of Las Cruces known as the “Organ Fire” grew overnight, a spokesman from the Bureau of Land Management told ABC-7.

“It’s not going to move fast, but it’s going to be very active throughout the day,” said Rico Smith, public information officer for the Las Cruces district office.

The fire might be growing, but Smith said U.S. 70 will remain open all day. The fire is at 10 percent containment and 1,200 acres and moving toward White Sands Missile Range. He said there are four engines on the fire, up from two yesterday.

“The fire will be active definitely through the remainder of this week,” Smith said, warning of hazy and smokey conditions throughout the area.

He said fire crews from NASA, White Sands Missile Range and the BLM are tackling the fire right now. They’re using a “burn out” strategy to avoid risking the lives of firefighters, he said.

The fire started when a burning vehicle ignited some dry brush off the shoulder of the highway, which grew rapidly Sunday night.