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Ebenezer Fire Final Update

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Publication Type: News

The Ebenezer Fire is 141 acres and 100% contained. Command of the fire has been transitioned back over to the local fire departments to monitor.

Caja Fire Update Aug 29 2020 100 Contained

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Publication Type: News

This will be the final update on the Caja Fire unless conditions change.Start date: Aug. 23, 2020                       Cause: Lightning                         Size: 158 acres

Location: Colorado Peak on the Caja del Rio Plateau, the Española Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) Containment: 100% Current status:  Now that the Caja Fire is 100% contained, firefighters are monitoring the perimeter to make sure the lines are holding and the edges are cold. As temperatures warmed today, crews were also keeping an eye out for hot spots in the fire’s interior. Crews will continue to monitor the Caja Fire over the next few days. Resources: Eight firefighters, two engines and three resource advisors are on scene. The resource advisors are assessing the fire’s impact on cultural resources in the area. Weather: Overnight showers missed the Caja Fire by a quarter mile, but numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop over the area again this afternoon. Temperatures are slightly cooler today with an increase in humidity. Values at risk: There are no immediate values at risk, although natural and cultural resources and a powerline are in proximity. Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Firefighters are conducting operations under protocols to mitigate the risk of COVID-19. Smoke: Smoke from the Caja Fire is very minimal at this point. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into the Santa Fe area to see the latest smoke information. Primarily because of the Medio Fire and wildfires in adjacent states, smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website at https://nmtracking.org/fire. Fire updates will be posted on the SFNF website, New Mexico Fire Information website and on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.

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Caja Fire Update Aug 28 2020 85 Contained

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Publication Type: News

 Start date: Aug. 23, 2020                         Cause: Lightning                          Size: 158 acres

Location: Colorado Peak on the Caja del Rio Plateau, the Española Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF)

Containment: 85% Fuels and fire behavior:  Fire behavior today is minimal with some creeping and smoldering. Strategy: As part of the full suppression strategy for the Caja Fire, firefighters used natural and manmade barriers, including the two-track road, to secure its perimeter.  Crews today continue to secure the edges and mop up to make sure the containment lines remain secure.    Resources: Approximately 12 firefighters are on scene, including two engines. The water tender was released today at noon.  In addition to the firefighters, three resource advisors are on scene to help minimize the Caja Fire’s impact on cultural resources in the area. Weather: Hot and dry conditions in the morning will yield to showers, thunderstorms and shifting winds this afternoon when a cold front moves into the area. Near-record temperatures will cool over the weekend and into next week. Values at risk: There are no immediate values at risk, although natural and cultural resources and a powerline are in proximity. Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Firefighters are conducting operations under protocols to mitigate the risk of COVID-19. Members of the public should stay away from fire operations and staging 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!” The cold front should help clear some of the smoke from the Caja Fire, Medio Fire and multiple fires burning in adjacent states. Smoke may be visible from Santa Fe to Los Alamos and along the I-25 corridor and the 599 Bypass. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into the Santa Fe area to see the latest smoke information. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website at https://nmtracking.org/fire. Fire updates will be posted on the SFNF website, New Mexico Fire Information website and on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.

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Caja Fire Update Aug 27 2020 70 Contained

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Publication Type: News
Start date: Aug. 23, 2020                         Cause: Lightning                          Size: 158 acres. Location: Colorado Peak on the Caja del Rio Plateau, the Española Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) Containment: 70% Fuels and fire behavior:  Fire behavior today is low with very little visible smoke. Strategy: The strategy for the Caja Fire is full suppression. Firefighters have taken advantage of natural and manmade barriers, including the two-track road, to secure the Caja Fire’s perimeter.  Crews today continue to work the edges of the fire to make sure the containment lines remain secure.    Resources: Approximately 30 personnel are on scene, including three engines and a dozer. The dozer will probably be released today. Weather: Daily rounds of showers and thunderstorms continue in and around the location of the Caja Fire. Temperatures will remain at near-record highs through Friday with some cooling expected over the weekend. Ventilation will remain poor to fair through Friday before improving early next week. Values at risk: There are no immediate values at risk, although natural and cultural resources and a powerline are in proximity. Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Firefighters are conducting operations under protocols to mitigate the risk of COVID-19. Members of the public should stay away from fire operations and staging 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!” Smoke from the Caja Fire may be visible from Santa Fe to Los Alamos and along the I-25 corridor and the 599 Bypass, mingling with smoke from the Medio Fire and multiple fires burning in adjacent states. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into the Santa Fe area to see the latest smoke information. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website at https://nmtracking.org/fire. Fire updates will be posted on the SFNF website, New Mexico Fire Information website and on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.

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Caja Fire Update Aug 26 2020

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Publication Type: News

 Perimeter Mapping Gives Firefighters New Data, 

Reduces Caja Fire Footprint to 158 Acres, 50% Contained

Start date: Aug. 23, 2020                                       Cause: Presumed to be lightning             Size: 158 acres. Earlier estimates were based on aerial observation during heavy smoke and active fire behavior. Location: Colorado Peak on the Caja del Rio Plateau, the Española Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) Containment: 50% Fuels and fire behavior:  Fire behavior today is low to light moderate with limited single-tree torching expected to continue in the fire’s interior for a couple more days. Strategy: The strategy for the Caja Fire is full suppression. Firefighters have taken advantage of natural and manmade barriers, including the two-track road, to secure the Caja Fire’s perimeter.  Crews continue cold trailing the edges of the fire, feeling for heat and digging out or trenching around hot spots. By end of shift today, fire managers expect to have a combination of handline and dozer line completed around the 158-acre fire.   Resources: Approximately 30 personnel are on scene, including three engines and a dozer. Weather: Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue over high terrain with a 70% chance of precipitation. Crews are prepared for unpredictable downdrafts associated with afternoon storm cells. Ventilation rates are expected to remain poor to fair through Friday which means continued haze and smoke. Values at risk: There are no immediate values at risk, although natural and cultural resources and a powerline are in proximity. Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Firefighters are conducting operations under protocols to mitigate the risk of COVID-19. Members of the public should stay away from fire operations and staging 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!” Smoke from the Caja Fire is likely to be visible from Santa Fe to Los Alamos and along the I-25 corridor and the 599 Bypass, mingling with smoke from the Medio Fire and multiple fires burning in adjacent states. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into the Santa Fe area to see the latest smoke information. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website at https://nmtracking.org/fire. Fire updates will be posted on the SFNF website, New Mexico Fire Information website and on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.

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Caja Fire Update Aug 25 2020

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Publication Type: News

Start date: Aug. 23, 2020          Cause: Presumed to be lightning              Size: Approximately 600 acresLocation: Colorado Peak on the Caja del Rio Plateau, Española Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF)

Containment: 10% Fuels and fire behavior:  Fire behavior today is low to moderate with limited single-tree torching in the fire’s interior. Fire managers on site said much of the fire’s footprint is smoldering as a result of yesterday’s rain, which is helping crews keep the Caja Fire in check. Resources: Approximately 30 personnel are on scene, including three engines and a dozer. Weather: Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected through the night with a 60% chance of precipitation. As an upper level high pressure center shifts from the Four Corners eastward, the Santa Fe area may experience poor ventilation, causing the smoke and haze from multiple fires to linger.    Values at risk: There are no immediate values at risk, although natural and cultural resources and a powerline are in proximity. Two cultural resource advisors are assigned to the fire. Strategy: The strategy for the Caja Fire is full suppression. Firefighters are tying handline to natural and manmade barriers, including the two-track road, to secure the Caja Fire’s perimeter.  The dozer is punching line on the east side of the fire to help protect the powerline. Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Firefighters are conducting operations under protocols to mitigate the risk of COVID-19. Members of the public should stay away from fire operations and staging 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!” Smoke from the Caja Fire is likely to be visible from Santa Fe to Los Alamos and along the I-25 corridor and the 599 Bypass, mingling with smoke from the Medio Fire and multiple fires burning in adjacent states. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into the Santa Fe area to see the latest smoke information. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website at https://nmtracking.org/fire. Fire updates will be posted on the SFNF website, New Mexico Fire Information website and on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.

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Caja Fire Update Aug 24 2020 5 pm

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Publication Type: News

 Afternoon Update: 

·       Size is now estimated at 600 acres. ·       Caja Fire received moisture this afternoon which helped firefighters with their efforts. Start date: Aug. 23, 2020          Cause: Presumed to be lightning              Size: Approximately 600 acres Location: On the Caja del Rio Plateau on the Española Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) Containment: 0% Fuels and fire behavior: The Caja Fire is burning in pinon-juniper on top of Colorado Peak. Winds helped push the fire to the north face where it is exhibiting low to moderate fire behavior. There are no immediate values at risk, although natural and cultural resources and a powerline are in proximity. Resources: Firefighters from the Española Ranger District and Santa Fe County responded to the smoke report Sunday evening. Aerial support from the Medio Fire dropped retardant on it last night, which helped slow its spread.  Two SFNF engines are on the fire today, with another engine en route from the Southern Pueblos Agency. Two SFNF cultural resource advisors are also on scene today. A 12-person hand crew will arrive from Arizona tomorrow. Air attack from the Medio Fire will continue to assist as needed.  Weather: Higher-than-normal temperatures and low humidities are expected for the rest of the week with daily rounds of scattered to isolated showers and thunderstorms. Many of those storm cells will bring little to no rain with erratic wind gusts. Winds are out of the south at 15-20 mph.   Strategy: The strategy for the Caja Fire is full suppression. Firefighters are looking for opportunities to use the two-track road and natural barriers in conjunction with firing operations to contain the fire. Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Firefighters are conducting operations under protocols to mitigate the risk of COVID-19. Members of the public should stay away from fire operations and staging 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!” Smoke from the Caja Fire is likely to be visible from Santa Fe to Los Alamos and along the I-25 corridor and the 599 Bypass, mingling with smoke from the Medio Fire and multiple fires burning in adjacent states. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into the Santa Fe area to see the latest smoke information. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website at https://nmtracking.org/fire. Fire updates will be posted on the SFNF website, New Mexico Fire Information website and on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.

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New Fire Start on SFNF Caja Fire

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Publication Type: News

 Start date: Aug. 23, 2020          Cause: Presumed to be lightning              Size: Approximately 15 acres

Location: On the Caja del Rio Plateau on the Española Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) Containment: 0% Fuels and fire behavior: The Caja Fire is burning in pinon-juniper on top of Colorado Peak. Winds helped push the fire to the north face where it is exhibiting low to moderate fire behavior. There are no immediate values at risk, although natural and cultural resources and a powerline are in proximity. Resources: Firefighters from the Española Ranger District and Santa Fe County responded to the smoke report Sunday evening. Aerial support from the Medio Fire dropped retardant on it last night, which helped slow its spread.  Two SFNF engines are on the fire today, with another engine en route from the Southern Pueblos Agency. Two SFNF cultural resource advisors are also on scene today. A 12-person hand crew will arrive from Arizona tomorrow. Air attack from the Medio Fire will continue to assist as needed.  Weather: Higher-than-normal temperatures and low humidities are expected for the rest of the week with daily rounds of scattered to isolated showers and thunderstorms. Many of those storm cells will bring little to no rain with erratic wind gusts. Winds are out of the south at 15-20 mph.   Strategy: The strategy for the Caja Fire is full suppression. Firefighters are looking for opportunities to use the two-track road and natural barriers in conjunction with firing operations to contain the fire. Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Firefighters are conducting operations under protocols to mitigate the risk of COVID-19. Members of the public should stay away from fire operations and staging 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!” Smoke from the Caja Fire is likely to be visible from Santa Fe to Los Alamos and along the I-25 corridor and the 599 Bypass, mingling with smoke from the Medio Fire and multiple fires burning in adjacent states. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into the Santa Fe area to see the latest smoke information. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website at https://nmtracking.org/fire. Fire updates will be posted on the SFNF website, New Mexico Fire Information website and on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.

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Kohls Fire Final Update

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Publication Type: News

Kohls Fire: 184 acres, 100% contained
Location: approximately 15 miles southeast of Eldorado, Texas

The Kohls Fire is 100% contained and has been turned back over to the local fire departments to monitor.  

Kohls Fire August 26 830 AM Update

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Publication Type: News

Kohls Fire: 184 acres, 90% contained
Location: approximately 15 miles southeast of Eldorado, Texas

 Planned actions for today will be to have dozer crews work to complete containment line construction today. Engines will mop up any hotspots along the fire perimeter.

Fire Weather: Continued hot weather will keep fire weather conditions elevated around the fire area today and Thursday. Highs will be in the mid 90s both days, with minimum RH values between 25 and 30 percent. Winds will continue to average between 5 and 10 mph, mainly out of the east. Overnight recovery will be around 90 percent. Although to rain is in the forecast, we will have scattered afternoon clouds, and an isolated afternoon or early evening shower can't be completely ruled out.  

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