Holdover fires pop up from last thunderstorm

Fire crews are ready to respond

Santa Fe, NM, June 21, 2026 —Thunderstorms over the past few days have brought a significant amount of lighting to the area. Fires continue to pop up from holdover lightning, as heat gets established in available fuels and conditions such as temperature and wind align.

The Middle Fork Fire was detected yesterday June 20, 2026. The fire is located on the Cuba Ranger District off Forest Road 531 in Middle Fork Ojitos Canyon near the Cuba and Jemez District boundary, 1.7 miles northwest of Seven Springs. The fire is reported at 1 acre, the fire is 50% contained burning in oak brush, Douglas-fir, and log duff. Firefighters are being briefed and enroute to the fire, fireline has been constructed around the perimeter of the fire and crews are currently working to fully contain the fire.

The Elk Fire on the Pecos-Las Vegas Ranger District was detected on June 19, 2026. The fire’s edge has been mopped up creating a barrier of approximately 60 feet from the fire line to the fire. Fuels continue to burn interior of the fire. One engine is on scene mopping up the interior of the fire, cooling interior heat created by heavy dead and down fuels. The Pecos River Handrew has been released from the fire. The fire is currently 50% contained. The fire is burning 0.5 miles east of Jack’s Creek Campground and 1.5 miles northwest of Iron Gate Campground, within the Pecos Wilderness, the fire size is currently reported at 0.25 acres and the cause is lightning.

Fire information is available on the Santa Fe National Forest website, Inciweb, NM Fire Information, and social media pages (Facebook and X).

About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.