Middle Mesa Fire Grows to 500 Acres in Carson National Forest

Fire crews are actively battling the Middle Mesa Fire in the Carson National Forest near Navajo Lake, Colorado, which began on August 1, 2025. The fire has grown to approximately 500 acres, driven by strong winds from nearby thunderstorms that caused rapid canopy spread, though fire behavior has moderated with increased humidity and nightfall. There are currently no threats to homes or evacuations, but fire managers are closely coordinating with oil and gas companies due to infrastructure risks in the area. Firefighters are employing burnout operations and continue to increase containment efforts as additional air and ground resources arrive, with the Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management Team set to take over fire management. Meanwhile, a smaller vegetation fire is also burning slowly in west Templeton, California, with crews monitoring and responding to prevent further spread. Both incidents highlight ongoing wildfire challenges requiring coordinated firefighting efforts and public awareness.