The closure of N.M. 47 due to the ongoing bosque fire has been expanded.
The highway is now closed in both directions from Tomé Hill Road south to the Belen river bridge on East River Road.
Valencia County Sheriff’s Lt. Joseph Rowland said the Belen bridge is closed in both east and west bound as well. Those needing to go east on Manzano Expressway or south into Rio Communities will need to do so by coming north on N.M. 304.
“We are working off of Gabaldon Road on the west side (of the river) and on the east on 47,” Rowland said. “We are trying to push people south and away. With the winds right now, the fire is predominately pushing east and we’re concerned it might jump east of 47. We strongly urge residents on both sides of N.M. 47 to evacuate from Tomé Hill Road south to River Road.”
Rowland said the sheriff’s office was in the process of setting up barricades on N.M. 47 to discourage traffic along the road, along with signs directing drivers to the easiest ways out of the area.
“The smoke is making it dangerous throughout the area. People are resistant to evacuate, but we would like them to evacuate towards Manzano Expressway,” he said.
Traffic coming northbound from N.M. 60 is being directed east on the expressway or back south on N.M. 304 at this time, the lieutenant said.
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