SFNE NEWS RELEASE
The Frijoles Fire is 15,956 acres, 90% contained, with 32 personnel assigned. Crews are minimizing heavy vehicle and equipment traffic on saturated roads to avoid causing additional road damage and complicating future repair work. Using UTVs, crews assess culverts, Forest roads and drainage features, with particular attention to roads that provide access to private property. They are identifying repair needs and developing plans so additional crews and heavy equipment can reengage as conditions dry.
Frijoles Fire Recovery Open House has been rescheduled to Tuesday, September 29, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the Chimayo Elementary School Gym, 37 County Road 93, Chimayo. The open house will provide an opportunity for community members to speak directly with state, local and federal representatives and learn more about post-fire conditions, recovery resources and next steps. There will be no formal presentation, and the public can stop by at any time during the event.
Weather: A drying trend is expected over the fire area through the weekend, with additional rainfall possible next week. As conditions dry, roads and soil will gradually become more stable, allowing crews to reassess conditions and safely resume additional repair work where appropriate.
Safety: Please give Forest Roads time to dry out before using them for recreational travel. Driving on saturated roads can create deep ruts and mud pits, reducing access for everyone. Recent rainfall has changed how water is moving across the landscape. Some culverts and drainages may be clogged, and areas that are not normally wet may have standing or flowing water, or mud.
The next Frijoles Fire update will be Wednesday, September 30, 2026, unless there are significant changes.
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.