A firefighter setting a fire line Sunday at Fenton Lake State Park. Photo by Sherri Evans

BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com

Fire officials reported Monday afternoon that the Lake Fork Fire, located seven miles northwest of Jemez Springs on the USDA Forest Service (USFS) – Santa Fe National Forest, is currently 50 contained, according to Wendy Mason with the State Forestry Division.

No structures are threatened. The fire is estimated at 50 acres and shows minimal activity. The Lake Fork Fire was initially reported at 3:35 p.m. on Saturday. La Cueva Fire Chief Lee Taylor told the Los Alamos Reporter fire started on state land before moving onto the Jemez Ranger District.

Additional smoke is expected to be seen over the next few days as the fire reaches unburned pockets of fuel within the interior. Some 21 personnel from the Forestry Division, Sandoval County and USFS are working on full containment.

Chief Taylor said crews from La Cueva, Cuba, Ponderosa, Zia, Cochiti Lake and USFS responded quickly to the fire and constructed a fire line. He said the cause and origin of the fire had not been determined, however, a Forestry Division investigator was expected to be on the scene Monday.