FRIJOLES FIRE INCIDENT UPDATE

FRIJOLES FIRE

INCIDENT UPDATE

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Public Information: 505-407-5343                                       Acres: 11,335

Media Information: 505-230-5386                                        Containment: 9%

Hours:  8 a.m.–5 p.m.                                                              Start Date: August 4, 2026

Email: 2026.frijoles@firenet.gov                                            Cause: Lightning

Incident Website:                                                                    Personnel: 695

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/nmsnf-frijoles-fire

Community Meeting Tonight at the Santa Fe Convention Center

Operational Update: During the previous 24-hour operational period, the Frijoles Fire remained active in the Pecos Wilderness. Fire activity was influenced by fuels and terrain, resulting in additional growth and smoke visible from the surrounding communities. Hotshot crews also completed several miles of containment lines north and south of Rio Frijoles along the western flank of the fire.

Today, firefighters will continue constructing containment line along the fire’s edge through Cañon Navajo and down the western flank toward Cañon Chimayo. Crews will continue improving control lines extinguishing hot spots on the western side of the fire to protect homes in the community of Cundiyo, Gorham Scout Ranch, and Cerro Piñon. Firefighters working near Cordova and Truchas will strengthen lines along the northern side of the fire to protect those communities.

There will be a community meeting this evening, Tuesday, August 18th at the Santa Fe Convention Center (201 West Marcy Street) at 6 p.m. and live stream through YouTube and Facebook for those who are unable to attend in person. Additionally, American Sign Language (ASL) and Spanish interpretation will be available.

Team 8 will continue working in close coordination with Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico Forestry Division, Santa Fe County, Rio Arriba County, Pueblos, Tribes, and surrounding communities to ensure natural and cultural values at risk are minimally affected by suppression efforts.

Weather: Today will be partly cloudy with isolated afternoon showers and thunderstorms, with a 10% chance of precipitation. Maximum temperatures will be in the mid 80℉s with minimum relative humidity dropping into the 13% – 18% range. Winds will be southwest 5-10 mph.

Evacuations:  InSanta Fe County, the Borrego Mesa area (specifically around FR 440 and FR 306) and Nambe Pueblo Lake remain in “Ready Status” and Camino de Canon in Cundiyo remains in “Go Status”. The rest of Cundiyo and Cerro Piñon have been placed on “Set Status”. In Rio Arriba County the community of Cordova remains in “Ready Status”.

Evacuation Shelter: For information call the Santa Fe County Fire information line (505) 428-3737

or visit https:// www.santafecountynm.gov/fire

Closures: There is a road closure for NM 503 between County Road 98 and State Road 76. Visitors are encouraged to avoid the fire area and use caution when traveling near firefighting operations.

The Santa Fe National Forest issued a new temporary forest area closure to include the Pecos Wilderness area on the Espanola Ranger District for the Frijoles Fire. The new forest order closure and map can be found in the attached document or here https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-publication/nmsnf-frijoles-fire/temporary-area-closure-order-for-frijoles-fire-08-15-2026

Additionally, there is a Temporary Road Closure Order affecting FR 306, from the intersection of FR 440 and FR 306, West to the Forest Boundary and FR 306. The closure can be found here https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-publication/nmsnf-frijoles-fire/temporary-road-closure-order-for-frijoles-fire-forest-road-306-08-09-2026