August 5, 2026 
Lightning Started fires within Cuba, Espanola, and Pecos Ranger Districts
Media Contact: Kaleb Hoeft
(505) 546-9429
(Santa Fe, N.M. , August 5, 2026) — Fire resources are actively responding to suppress multiple fires that may have resulted from recent thunderstorms throughout northern New Mexico.
Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public should avoid the fire areas.
Drones pose a serious risk to firefighting and can cause air operations to cease. The public is reminded that “If you fly, we can’t!”
Espanola Ranger District- Pecos Mountain Wilderness: Frijoles Fire (New Report)
Reported Date / Time: August 4, 2026 / 6:57 p.m.
Cause: Lightning Size: 10 acres. Containment: 0%
Location: Steep terrain 5 miles west of Sierra Mosca, 3 miles southeast of Cundiyo, NM. The fire is within the boundaries of the Pecos Wilderness Area.
Personnel: U.S. Forest Service –Engine 461, Sante Fe Hotshots Enroute. Multiple aerial resources.
Strategy: Direct extinguishment
Fire Behavior: High spread potential.
Fuels: Ponderosa Timber, dead & down.
Operations: Fire fighters are scouting the terrain with the goal of establishing a safe direct route to the fire. Large air tankers and helicopters are dropping retardant and water on the fire while firefighters navigate the difficult terrain.
Smoke: May be visible from Santa Fe, Cundiyo, Nambe, Chimayo, Pojoaque, and Espanola.
Cuba Ranger District- Near San Pedro Mountains: Lodin Fire (Update Report)
Reported Date / Time: August 3, 2026 / 4:27 p.m. Reported by Cerro Pelado Lookout.
Cause: Lightning Size: 6 acres. Containment: 0%
Location: Heavily timbered Forest Service land, private lands, cabins, and inholdings are located within one-quarter mile of the Lodin Fire. 2 miles south of Jarosa and 4.5 miles west of Cerro Pelon.
Personnel: 23 Personnel from U.S. Forest Service –Engine 621 and UT 621. Multiple aviation resources.
Strategy: Direct extinguishment.
Fire Behavior: Moderate.
Fuels: Ponderosa Timber, dead and down.
Operations: On August 4, heavy timber torching caused several spot fires that were quickly contained, while a Type 1 helicopter and additional resources helped slow fire spread and strengthen suppression efforts. Crews will continue securing containment lines while prioritizing safety in hazardous timber conditions.
Smoke: May be visible from Cuba, La Cueva, and NM 126.
Cuba Ranger District- Near San Pedro Mountains: Spring Fire (Update Report)
Reported Date / Time: August 3, 2026 / 5:23 p.m. Reported by Cerro Pelado Lookout
Cause: Lightning Size: 1 acre. Containment: 0%
Location: Heavily timbered Forest Service land, private lands, cabins, and inholdings are located within one-half mile of the Spring Fire. 3 miles southeast of Jarosa and 3 miles west of Cerro Pelon. One mile east of Lodin Fire.
Resources on Scene: U.S. Forest Service Wildland Fire Fighters and aviation resources.
Strategy: Direct extinguishment.
Fire Behavior: Low.
Fuels: Timber and grass.
Operation: The fire spotted over the handline overnight but was quickly contained by firefighters. With continued support from the Type 1 helicopter, crews successfully held the fire within its existing footprint, preventing any significant growth. Personnel will continue securing the fire with minimal staffing while additional resources remain assigned to suppression efforts on the Lodin Fire.
Smoke: May be visible from Cuba, La Cueva, and NM 126.
Pecos Ranger District- Glorieta Mesa: Glorieta Mesa Fire (New Start)
Reported Date / Time: August 4, 2026 / 5:19 p.m.
Cause: Lightning Size: 0.1 acres. Containment: 0%
Location: On the western side of Glorieta Mesa, 1.5 miles south of Glorieta and 1 mile east of I-25.
Personnel: U.S. Forest Service –Engine 641.
Strategy: Direct extinguishment.
Fire Behavior: Low spread potential.
Fuels: Pinyon-Juniper stands, Ponderosa Timber.
Operations: Resources have surrounded the singular lightning struck tree in hand line and are extinguishing spot fires.
Smoke: May be visible from Glorieta, Grasshopper Canyon, Valencia, and Canoncito.
Pecos Ranger District- Cow Creek: High Peak Fire (Contained)
Reported Date / Time: August 4, 2026 / 5:19 p.m.
Cause: Lightning Size: 0.1 acres. Containment: 100%
Location: East of Viveaesh Mesa, 5 miles northeast of Lower La Posada in Cow Creek Canyon.
Personnel: U.S. Forest Service –Unit 5-31.
Strategy: Direct extinguishment.
Fire Behavior: Low spread potential.
Fuels: Ponderosa Timber.
Operations: Resources have completely contained the lightning caused fire and are hardening handline while monitoring for hot spots.
Smoke: Residual smoke may be visible from Terrero and Lower La Posada
Weather for the Region (August 5, 2026): A moist monsoonal pattern will persist across northern New Mexico with partly to mostly cloudy skies and scattered afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms from Cuba through Santa Fe to Glorieta. High temperatures will range from the upper 70s to mid-80s, with minimum relative humidity between 20–35 percent and good overnight recoveries of 60–90 percent. Terrain-driven winds of 5–15 mph will become erratic and gusty near thunderstorms, with outflow winds potentially exceeding 35–45 mph. Lightning, brief heavy rainfall, localized flooding, and sudden wind shifts will be the primary weather concerns for fire operations.
Closures: There are no area closures at this time. Visitors are encouraged to avoid the vicinity of both fires and use caution when traveling near firefighting operations.
Fire Information: facebook.com/santafeNF/ https://x.com/SantafeNF/ nmfireinfo.com
NM Fire Info 
Comments are closed.