As of the evening of Monday, Aug. 10, the lightning-caused wildfire had reached an estimated 4,159 acres and remained at 0% containment, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Source: New Mexico Forestry Division (via Facebook)
Photo: Courtesy
The Frijoles Fire continued to grow Monday as Santa Fe County ordered an immediate evacuation for residents along Camino de Canon in Cundiyo.
As of the evening of Monday, Aug. 10, the lightning-caused wildfire had reached an estimated 4,159 acres and remained at 0% containment, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The fire was estimated at 3,000 acres Sunday evening.
Santa Fe County issued a “Go Status” immediate evacuation Monday evening for individuals on Camino de Canon in Cundiyo.
An evacuation center has been established at the Pojoaque Valley Middle School gym, 1797 State Road 502.
Firefighters Work Through the Night
The number of personnel assigned to the Frijoles Fire has increased to 133, with additional resources arriving throughout Monday.
Night-shift crews were scheduled to continue suppression efforts Monday evening, joined by a Santa Fe County structure protection task force.
Firefighters made progress constructing indirect containment lines with bulldozer support west of the fire and east of Cundiyo.
Aerial operations focused on the northern and western portions of the fire. Large air tankers, two Chinook helicopters and a Type 1 helicopter dropped retardant and water in an effort to slow the fire’s spread.
The Forest Service reported active fire behavior Monday, worsened by high temperatures, low humidity and strong outflow winds generated by passing thunderstorms.
The Frijoles Fire began Aug. 4 following a lightning strike and is burning in steep terrain about five miles west of Sierra Mosca and three miles southeast of Cundiyo. The fire is within the Pecos Wilderness Area on the Española Ranger District.
Firefighters are pursuing a full-suppression strategy.
Crews Prepare Structures
Crews continued assessing and preparing structures in Cundiyo, Canyon Chimayo, Cerro Piñon and at the Gorham Boy Scout Ranch.
Those preparations include developing structure-protection plans, establishing water supplies and sprinkler systems, and removing fuels from around properties.
The incident management team is coordinating with Santa Fe County, surrounding communities and Tribes.
Roads and Recreation Areas Affected
NM 503 remains closed between County Road 98 and State Road 76.
The Santa Fe National Forest has also issued a temporary closure for Forest Road 306, extending west from its intersection with Forest Road 440 to the forest boundary.
No closure order has been issued for the Pecos Wilderness itself, but the Forest Service is asking the public to avoid the portion of the wilderness where suppression operations are underway.
The public is also being asked to avoid the Santa Cruz Overlook Road and Campground.
Aviation operations supporting the fire response are taking place at Nambé Lake and Santa Cruz Lake. Visitors recreating in those areas are asked to remain clear of locations where firefighting aircraft are operating.
Smoke and Thunderstorms Remain Concerns
Smoke is expected to remain visible from Santa Fe, Cundiyo, Nambé, Chimayo, Pojoaque and Española, with smoke settling into valleys during the evening.
Weather continues to complicate firefighting efforts.
Temperatures across the region are expected to range from the upper 70s to the mid-90s, while thunderstorms can produce erratic and gusty winds. Outflow winds near storms could exceed 35 to 45 mph.
Lightning, sudden wind shifts, brief heavy rainfall and localized flooding also remain concerns for fire operations.
Public Asked to Keep Drones Away
Fire officials continue to warn the public against flying drones near the Frijoles Fire.
A drone entered the temporary flight restriction surrounding the fire Friday, threatening firefighting aircraft and interfering with suppression efforts.
Unauthorized drones can force aerial firefighting operations to stop.
Residents seeking current evacuation information should consult Santa Fe County as conditions around the Frijoles Fire continue to change.
You must be logged in to post a comment.