Final Update Oso Canyon Fire 7.30.26

Media Contact: Kaleb Hoeft

(505) 546-9429

Firefighters completed hand line around the fire and it has been declared contained

Acres: 26.7 

Start Date: July 26, 2026

Location: Oso Canyon, 2 miles northeast of Chicoma Mountain 

Fuels: Timber and brush.

Containment: 100%

Personnel: 30

Cause: Lightning

Santa Fe, NM, July 30, 2026 — — The Oso Canyon Fire, discovered during the early afternoon of July 26 west of Española in Rio del Oso Canyon near Chicoma Mountain on the Española Ranger District, has been officially declared contained. The fire remains at 26.7 acres following several days of suppression efforts. Favorable weather, including periods of rain, stopped forward progress.

Operations: Firefighters have completed construction of handline around the entire fire and are continuing to secure and reinforce the line. Crews are working the interior and perimeter to locate and extinguish remaining hotspots, focusing on areas containing dense brush, standing snags, and dead and down fuels.

Firefighters used information from a UAS (Uncrewed Aircraft System) module to accurately identify isolated pockets of heat and prioritize suppression efforts.

Although the fire is contained, firefighters will continue patrolling containment lines for residual heat

Safety: The primary objective for the Oso Canyon Fire is firefighter and public safety. No privately owned drones are allowed to fly in the area. Flying will force air resources to be grounded immediately. If you fly, they can’t.

Weather: Highs around 87°F with intervals of sun and clouds. Scattered thunderstorms are expected after 2:00 p.m., bringing frequent lightning, outflow winds of 30–45 mph, and brief heavy rainfall.

Smoke: Smoke activity has lessened significantly with a low potential of being seen at great distance. Smoke could potentially be visible from Espanola, Pojoaque, Ohkay Owingeh, and Mendenales.

Closures: No closures are in effect, however, people are asked to avoid the area and exercise extreme caution as firefighting operations are ongoing.

Fire Information:  facebook.com/santafeNF/ https://x.com/SantafeNF/ nmfireinfo.com