September 19, 2026 
Santa Fe, N.M., September 18, 2026–Significant rainfall has saturated the Frijoles Fire area, limiting firefighter access and operations. While rain and higher humidity have reduced fire activity, wet and muddy conditions are creating additional hazards for crews working in steep and rugged terrain.
Frijoles Fire Recovery Open House: Community members are invited to a Recovery Open House on Thursday, September 24, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Chimayo Elementary School. There will be no formal presentation. Stop by anytime during the open house to speak one-on-one with agency representatives, ask questions and learn about post-fire recovery, watershed conditions, BAER findings and available resources.
Ongoing & Planned Operations: The Frijoles Fire is currently 15,956 acres and 74% contained, with 38 personnel assigned. Firefighters have temporarily limited operations due to saturated roads and soils and the risk of vehicles becoming stuck or sliding off roadways, as well as slips, falls and flash floods. Crews will reengage, assess conditions and continue suppression repair as conditions allow.
An infrared (IR) flight is planned when weather conditions allow. Information from the flight will help firefighters identify remaining heat and provide more accurate information for future acreage and containment updates.
Burned Area Emergency Response: The BAER team has completed its assessment. Approximately 80% of the assessed area experienced low or very low soil burn severity, while 15% experienced moderate and 5% high soil burn severity. Although most post-fire watershed effects are expected on National Forest System lands, heavy rainfall could carry ash, sediment and woody debris downstream and beyond the Forest boundary. The Frijoles Burned Area Summary Report is available on the Santa Fe National Forest Website and InciWeb.
Weather, Smoke & Safety: Saturated soils combined with additional monsoon storms may increase the risk of flash flooding and debris flows within and downstream of burned areas. Avoid arroyos, stream beds and other low-lying areas when storms are nearby and move to higher ground if water begins to rise.
Fog, cloud cover and rain are currently limiting smoke visibility. Pockets of heat may continue to smolder within the fire perimeter, and smoke could become visible if clouds break or conditions begin to dry.
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 Monday, September 21, 2026, unless there are significant changes.
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.
Contact:
(505) 407-5343
2026.frijoles@firenet.gov
fs.usda.gov/r03/santafe
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NM Fire Info 
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