Smoke kicks up Friday afternoon as the Frijoles Fire makes its way towards Sierra Mosca in the Pecos Wilderness. Seen from Canyon Rim trail in Los Alamos. Photo by James Wernicke
SFNF NEWS RELEASE
Hotter and drier weather as well as available fuel on the eastern edge of the fire is contributing to the increased fire activity. Fire is making its way into unburned pine within several drainages on the eastern edge of the fire. This available and receptive fuel will continue to consume putting up additional smoke. The fire is burning into the Pecos Wilderness towards Sierra Mosca. Currently the fire does not pose any risks to people and property on the eastern edge. The next update will be released on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026.
Ongoing & Planned Operations: The fire is currently 15,546 acres and 79% contained, with 58 personnel assigned to the fire. Repair work from suppression damage continues as firefighters continue to assess safe access and tactics to fully suppress the fire within the rugged and hazardous terrain of the Pecos Wilderness.
The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team will continue assessments under the management of the local forest unit. The Frijoles Fire information phone line as well as the Frijoles Fire incident email will be available for information regarding the BAER assessment.
Air Quality & Smoke: Smoke may also settle at the base of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, the communities of Espanola, Santa Cruz, Chimayo, Cordova, Nambe, Pojoaque and Tesuque may experience smoke settling in the evenings and early mornings. Smoke will be visible from those communities as well as from Los Alamos and Santa Fe.
Safety: The temporary forest area closure will be terminated tomorrow Saturday, September 12, 2026. While the area is now open to the public, we urge that visitors be aware of the fire traffic in the area. Firefighter and public safety are the number one priority use caution as fire vehicles and heavy equipment are present near the fire and still pose a driving hazard.
Unauthorized drone use can impede firefighting operations and presents a risk to firefighter safety.
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.
Frijoles Fire Information
Phone: (505) 407-5343
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.