The Frijoles fire had approximately 410 acres of growth over the past few days

Santa Fe, N.M., September 14, 2026 – The Frijoles fire had approximately 410 acres of growth over the past few days as fire made its way into drainages below Sierra Mosca. A large smoke column was visible on September 11, 2026, and was the result of fuel loading in these drainages catching fire. The fire is still burning in the wilderness and currently does not pose risk to property or people. Resources are assessing best tactics to fully suppress the fire. Full containment will be a slow process as the terrain in the Pecos Wilderness is rugged and hazardous. Firefighter and public safety are the number one priority. The ability for firefighters to safely fight this fire depends on availability of rescue resources and adequate medical evacuation sites in the event a firefighter gets hurt on the fire line.

Ongoing & Planned Operations: The fire is currently 15,956 acres and 79% contained, with 49 personnel assigned to the fire. Repair work from suppression damage continues as firefighters continue to assess safe access and tactics to fully suppress the fire within the rugged and hazardous terrain of the Pecos Wilderness.

The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team continue assessments to determine post fire impacts. The Soil Burn Severity map was released and can be viewed on Inciweb. The Frijoles Fire information phone line as well as the Frijoles Fire incident email will be available for information regarding the BAER assessment.

Air Quality & Smoke: Smoke may also settle at the base of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, the communities of Espanola, Santa Cruz, Chimayo, Cordova, Nambe, Pojoaque and Tesuque may experience smoke settling in the evenings and early mornings. Smoke will be visible from those communities as well as from Los Alamos and Santa Fe.

Safety: The temporary forest area closure was terminated Saturday, September 12, 2026. While the area is now open to the public, we urge visitors to be aware of fire traffic in the area. Firefighter and public safety are the number one priority. Use caution as fire vehicles and heavy equipment are present near the fire and still pose a driving hazard.

Unauthorized drone use can impede firefighting operations and presents a risk to firefighter safety.

For more information visit the Santa Fe National Forest website, social media (Facebook and X), Inciweb, and NM Fire Information. The next Frijoles Fire daily update will be provided Wednesday September 16, 2026.

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.