Frijoles

Fire fully contained as focus shifts to suppression repair and flood risks

The Frijoles Fire is burning in steep terrain within the Pecos Wilderness in Santa Fe County, southeast of Cundiyo. The perimeter is fully contained, with fire activity reduced to creeping and smoldering in heavy timber. The fire poses no direct threat to communities, though saturated soils across the burn scar maintain a hazard of flash flooding and debris flows.

Evacuations and Closures

• No evacuation orders or warnings are in effect as of September 24.
• The area closure order has been rescinded as of September 25, but officials request the public avoid the fire perimeter, Santa Cruz Overlook Road, and the campground while suppression repair continues.

Impact

No structures have been damaged or destroyed by the fire. Active runoff and flash flooding prompted officials to reschedule a post-fire community recovery open house to September 29 at the Chimayo Elementary School gym.

Conditions and Outlook

Passing showers and gusty south-southwest winds will give way to calmer, drier conditions over the weekend before rain chances return early next week. Fire behavior is expected to remain minimal with only creeping and smoldering in sheltered fuels. Crews will patrol the perimeter and continue suppression repair on lines, roads, and culverts as muddy conditions permit.

Cause and Context

The fire was started by a lightning strike in early August in the Pecos Wilderness. Saturated burn scars remain at heightened risk for flash flooding, rapid runoff, and debris flows down arroyos and drainage basins during rainstorms.

Official updates current through September 25, 2026.