The lightning-ignited Lava 18 Fire is approximately 2,070 acres (858 ac on the National Park Service (NPS) El Malpais National Monument and 1,212 acres on the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) El Malpais National conservation area. This will be the final update unless significant events occur.
The fire transitioned to a smaller, local Type 4 organization on Monday afternoon, September 9. Three engines continue to monitor and patrol existing roads, trails, and handlines along the fire perimeter and adjacent to private lands and natural and cultural values at risk. Fire managers will continue to monitor the fire where it is playing its natural role in the ecosystem and take action as needed to protect private land and sensitive natural and cultural resources in the area as needed.