Wolf Draw Fire Update – June 1, 2021

SANTA FE, NM – June 1, 2021 – Although the west side of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) is currently under Stage 1 fire restrictions, which prohibit dispersed campfires, investigators have determined that the Wolf Draw Fire was caused by an abandoned campfire that escaped the fire ring. With extreme drought and high fire danger across the forest, visitors are urged to comply with current fire restrictions. 

Motorists on Forest Road 313, NM Highway 112 and other roads in the vicinity of the Wolf Draw Fire should be prepared for increased fire-related traffic. 

Start date:  May 29, 2021

Location:  Approximately 30 miles north of Cuba and 11 miles northwest of Regina on the Cuba Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF), Rio Arriba County

Cause:  Human                                     Size:  Approximately 700 acres                                    Percent Contained:  20%

Resources:  1 Type 3 engine, 2 Type 6 engines, 4 hand crews, 1 ambulance, 1 Rapid Extraction Module (REM) Team, 1 air attack platform, 2 Type 1 helicopters and 1 Type 3 helicopter.

Fuels:  Ponderosa pine and mixed conifer

Operations:  The Type 3 Incident Management Team is implementing a full suppression strategy to confine and contain the fire within an area defined by Forest Road (FR) 310 on the north, FR 5 on the east, FR 313 on the south and FR 312 on the west. Recent moisture assisted firefighters by decreasing fire behavior. Today, crews constructed control lines along the fire’s edge.

Weather: A warming trend is expected through the week with sporadic thunderstorms which will be drier with gusty winds. However, temperatures will remain near normal for the fire area with good overnight humidity recoveries for the week.

Values at risk: Private property, oil and gas infrastructure

Smoke:  Minimal smoke impacts are expected from the Wolf Draw Fire due to its remote location; however, depending on fire behavior, smoke may be visible from a distance.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

Fire updates will be posted on the SFNF website, New Mexico Fire Information website, Inciweb and on the SFNF Facebook and Twitter.

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