The Frijoles Fire soil burn severity map can be downloaded as a pdf file in the “Maps” tab at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmsnf-frijoles-fire. 

SFNF NEWS RELEASE

The Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response Team (BAER) has created the soil burn severity map for the Frijoles Fire that shows an estimate of fire effects on soils. Approximately 80% of the Frijoles Fire acres are either unburned/very low or low soil burn severity, while 15% sustained moderate severity and 5% identified as high severity. This mosaic pattern dominated by low soil burn severity is consistent with the natural effects of fire in ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forests in northern New Mexico. The fire was ignited by lightning on August 4, 2026 and has been managed under a full suppression strategy since it started. The soil burn severity map analyzes 15,528 acres that burned to date in the Frijoles Fire. The BAER team consists of hydrologists, soil scientists, GIS analysts, and other specialists who used remote sensing satellite imagery with field-validated data collected over multiple days to produce the Soil Burn Severity map.   The BAER team is now using the soil burn severity map, field observations, and other data to analyze the risk of post-fire impacts on critical values to determine the need for emergency actions on National Forest System lands. Additional details will be shared with the public when the risk analysis and Forest Service treatment plan are completed. The Forest Service assessments, including the soil burn severity map and post-fire flood risk modeling results, continue to be shared with other partners who may have responsibilities or opportunities to treat areas that are not National Forest System lands. Updated information about the Frijoles Fire operations, maps, closure information, and the BAER effort are provided at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmsnf-frijoles-fire.  This site includes a downloadable pdf version of the Soil Burn Severity Map as well as detailed descriptions of each soil burn severity class with photos. It also includes important public safety information about traveling and recreating in and near burned areas.

Public Safety Advisory: Fire suppression continues, a public safety closure order is still in effect, and the summer monsoons can create hazards extending beyond the fire area. Everyone near and downstream from the burned area should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains and increased water runoff. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events-be prepared to act. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at the National Weather Service website: www.weather.gov/abq/. About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.