Taos, NM – A 1,200 acre wildfire burning in northern New Mexico is threatening Sipapu Ski Resort.

The Osha Fire along New Mexico highway 518 near The Rock Wall in the Camino Real Ranger District of Carson National Forest continues to expand and has not yet been contained. Residents surrounding Sipapu were asked to evacuate the area on Wednesday, as where residents of a nearby Buddhist monastery in Vadito. An emergency shelter for residents has been established by the Red Cross at the Penasco Community Center. Although several structures have been threatened none thus far have been lost in the fire.

A Carson National Forest spokesperson blamed the fire on downed power lines from a fallen tree. Air and ground crews continue to battle the blaze with five air tankers and four helicopters. Two bulldozers are carving fire lines out of the forest this morning. Low humidity and warm conditions are fueling the blaze.