Perch Fire in Guadalupe County Declared Final – Contained at 60%, Now at 57.5 Acres

March 30, 2026 – Santa Rosa, New Mexico

The Perch Fire, which ignited Monday afternoon southeast of Santa Rosa near Perch Lake in Guadalupe County, has reached 60% containment and is no longer advancing, according to the final official update from the New Mexico Forestry Division.

The fire was reported at 12:50 p.m. on March 30, 2026, in grass and brush fuels on private land. It quickly grew, prompting “GO” evacuation orders for the east side of State Road 91 from mile marker 1 to 6. Spot fires crossed the highway, and structures—including the Santa Rosa Airport—were threatened at one point. Evacuations were later lifted at 7 p.m.

Air support tankers completed retardant drops, enabling ground crews to halt the fire’s forward progress. Acreage estimates were adjusted downward to 57.5 acres. Response crews continue securing spot fires and conducting mop-up operations around the perimeter.

Resources on scene included personnel and equipment from the New Mexico Forestry Division, Guadalupe County, Santa Rosa Volunteer Fire Department, Bernalillo County, Town of Bernalillo, City of Santa Fe, Albuquerque Fire Rescue, and Quay County Fire Districts 1 and 2. Air tankers, including some operating out of the Alamogordo area, provided critical aerial support with slurry drops.

As of the final update this evening, threats to structures have passed, and all evacuation orders have been lifted. Southbound State Road 91 has reopened following the containment efforts.

Current weather at the scene: 72 degrees with 18% relative humidity and west winds at 10 mph. Overnight conditions are forecast to be mostly cloudy with a low around 51 degrees and west winds at 10-15 mph.

The cause of the Perch Fire remains under investigation.

“This will be the final notification on this incident unless there are significant changes,” stated the New Mexico Forestry Division.

No injuries or structure losses have been reported.

Local agencies and the New Mexico Emergency Management Division coordinated closely throughout the rapid response. The quick containment is credited to effective aerial and ground coordination in challenging grass and brush fuels.

For more information, contact George Ducker, Prevention & Communications Manager, EMNRD Forestry Division, at george.ducker@emnrd.nm.gov.

This article draws from the official final update posted by NM Fire Info on March 30, 2026

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