SFNF NEWS RELEASE
Acres: 166
Start Date: June 16, 2026
Location: Mesa De La Gallina, 3 miles northeast of Chicoma Mountain
Fuels: Oak brush, Ponderosa Pine
Containment: 0%
Resources: 70
Cause: Lightning
Highlights: The Northern New Mexico Type 3 Team (IMT), Incident Commander Luke McLarty took command of the Rio Fire this morning at 6:00 a.m. Firefighters made strong progress yesterday, using a full suppression strategy to slow the fire’s spread with retardant and handline.
Air operations have been critical and yesterday multiple Type1 helicoptersconducted bucket work and reconnaissance throughout the day. LATs (Large Air Tankers) utilized retardant strategically to slow the fire’s spread on the north, west, and east sides of the fire to give firefighters on the ground the opportunity to engage directly.
No structures have been lost, and structure assessments continue on the north end.
Operations: Terrain remains challenging, and aviation resources will again play a major role today. The local Initial Attack resources did an excellent job creating access to the fire edge yesterday allowing the fire to be engaged directly. The NNMIMT has established three divisions. Crews will be utilizing Direct suppression tactics, creating handline progressing South from the access created at the Division break on the North. Heavy equipment is being utilized to improve road access, and decrease medical evacuation times for responders. All flanks will continue to be monitored for spots, with emphasis on rocky terrain and dead/down fuels.
Air Attack is assessing the Aviation needs and coordinating Type 1 helicopters, supporting crews by conducting bucket work. Air tankers will be available as needed.
Additionally, engines and crews will continue line improvement, mop‑up where possible where they remove and extinguish burning material near fire lines, and structure protection on the northern edge near private land.
Safety: The primary objective for the Rio Fire is firefighter and public safety. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place in the area to keep the area clear for responding aircraft. No drones or aircraft will be allowed to fly in the area. Flying will force air resources to be grounded immediately. If you fly, they can’t.
Weather: Showers and thunderstorms developed just south of the fire area yesterday, and remained south through the evening. Despite cloud cover, temperatures remain hot, around 10 degrees above normal. Storm activity will taper off this evening as southerly winds bring increased moisture, improving overnight humidity recovery. Today, only a slight chance of a stray shower or storm exists near the fire area, though gusty and erratic outflow winds remain a concern. Dry and breezy westerly winds return Saturday.
Smoke: Smoke monitors have been ordered and are expected to arrive this weekend. Smoke is visible from Taos, Espanola, Abiquiu, Santa Fe, and Los Alamos County. View an interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/.Learn more about smoke impacts at https://nmtracking.org/
Closures: No closures at this time but people are asked to avoid the area and exercise extreme caution as firefighting operations are ongoing.