The Rico fire started approximately 1.5 miles northwest of Pinos Altos on BLM land, on the west side of Bear Creek on Tuesday afternoon around 3:30 P.M. The cause is still unknown. The fire has grown to over 400 acres. 170 fire personnel have been assigned to the fire.
Fuels involved are light logging slash, timber, grass, and understory. There is moderate fire behavior, flanking, backing, and creeping at last reports 6/21/23 11:30pm.
Today’s tactics include continued use of direct suppression tactics and aerial resources to minimize fire growth south, west, and northwest of the fire as well as to secure and mop up northeast area of fire.
Highway 15 is open. Some evacuations continue.
