Sunday night’s report will be the final evening update for the incident, according to fire officials. It will also mark the final shift for night operations, with resources previously assigned overnight being moved to other areas of the fire.
Source: Espanola Ranger District on the Santa Fe National Forest (via Facebook)
Images: Courtesy
The Frijoles Fire has reached 15,226 acres and 45% containment, as firefighters begin shifting resources and moving toward the next stage of the response to the lightning-caused wildfire burning in northern New Mexico.
Sunday night’s report will be the final evening update for the incident, according to fire officials. It will also mark the final shift for night operations, with resources previously assigned overnight being moved to other areas of the fire.
The Frijoles Fire began Aug. 4 and has grown to more than 15,000 acres. As of Sunday evening, 913 personnel remained assigned to the incident.
Firefighters continue establishing and maintaining containment along the western edge while expanding contingency work and beginning preparations for suppression repair. Some equipment and hose have been removed and returned for use elsewhere.
Eastern Side Remains Active
Despite the increase in containment, active fire remains.
Hotter and drier conditions returned Sunday, with temperatures reaching the mid- to upper 80s and relative humidity falling to between 20% and 30%. Limited thunderstorm activity allowed vegetation to dry during the day.
Firefighters subsequently observed increased smoke and fire activity on the eastern portion of the fire.
Crews continued evaluating terrain and fire behavior while scouting potential access routes for opportunities to engage the fire from the east. Aircraft dropped retardant to help moderate fire behavior.
The Tahoe Hotshots continued direct suppression work from the southern portion of the fire, crossing the Borrego Trail and working northeast. To the north, firefighters and heavy equipment continued improving contingency lines near Forest Road 667 and Rio Medio.
Structure-protection resources also continued patrols and assessments around nearby communities and private property.
Evacuations and Closures Remain
Although containment has increased, evacuation statuses remain in place around the fire.
In Santa Fe County, Cundiyo, Cerro Piñon and the Borrego Mesa area near Forest Roads 440 and 306 remain in “Set” status. Nambe Pueblo Lake remains in “Ready” status.
In Rio Arriba County, Cordova remains in “Ready” status.
NM 503 also remains closed between County Road 98 and State Road 76.
The Santa Fe National Forest’s temporary closure of the Pecos Wilderness area within the Española Ranger District remains in effect, along with a temporary closure affecting Forest Road 306.
Air quality was expected to remain generally good Sunday night from Taos to Santa Fe and Española to Nambe, with relatively light smoke impacts forecast across the region.
While the end of evening updates and overnight operations signals a change in the response, suppression work continues as crews work to increase containment and address remaining activity along the fire’s eastern side.
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