The Rio Rancho Fire Marshal’s Office is looking for a suspect who set fires in the Bosque.
On the evening of May 19, Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue crews responded to reports of fires in the Bosque Open Space near the River’s Edge II development. An Albuquerque Fire and Rescue (AFR) wildland response was requested for mutual aid by the Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue Department for the Middle Rio Grande Fire.
Crews arrived and reported multiple fires from Rio Rancho North Beach and extending north. While firefighting operations were underway, more fires were reported. Fire crews engaged an approximate one-acre fire that included several spot fires believed to be human-caused. Fire crews stopped the progress of the fire and stayed through the night for mop-up and confirmation of extinguishment.
Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue’s Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire, but officials believe the fires were started intentionally.
As of May 21, the Bosque Open Space Area was still closed to the public in order to allow fire crews to evaluate and patrol the area. Fire units were on scene for three days as they worked to locate and extinguish any areas of heat.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at (505) 891-5924.