SFNF: Rio Fire In Española Ranger District Reaches 100 Percent Containment

SFNF NEWS RELEASE

The lightning-caused Rio Fire, discovered on June 16, 2026, has reached 100% containment and remains at 167 acres.

The Northern New Mexico Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team managed the fire from June 18 to 24 before transferring command back to the Española Ranger District. Under a Type 4 organization, firefighters continued to cool remaining hot spots and secure firelines, achieving full containment on June 29, 2026.

Although the fire is fully contained, visitors should remain aware that burned areas can present hazards. When visiting fire-affected areas, watch for changing conditions, hazard trees, unstable terrain, and other post-fire hazards. Suppression repair work may continue in some locations, and the public is asked to use caution around personnel and equipment and provide crews with plenty of space to work.

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About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.