The Frijoles Fire is actively burning in the Española Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest, located 10 miles north of Ski Santa Fe. Currently, the has spread over 4,158 acres and remains 0% contained.
Investigators suspect that lightning storms ignited the fire earlier this week.
On Monday, Santa Fe announced that residents on Camino del Cañon Road in Cundiyo must evacuate and are under a “GO” status. The rest of Cundiyo and the community of Cerro Piñon are classified as being in “SET” status. Additionally, Cordova, situated in Rio Arriba County, is also in “SET” status.
Santa Fe County under alert: All on growing Frijoles Fire and wildfire action plan
Santa Fe has issued an immediate evacuation order for residents on Camino de Cañon Street in Cundiyó, advising them to leave with an emergency supply kit.
The county will establish an evacuation shelter at the Pojoaque Valley Middle School gym, located at 1797 State Road 502, for those in need.
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Emergency notifications are being disseminated via the county’s official emergency alert system, Alert Santa Fe. Residents are encouraged to register for these alerts.
The remainder of Cundiyó is currently under a READY status.
The county recommends that people in this area prepare a wildfire action plan and have a go-bag ready, containing a three-day supply of essential items such as medications, water, food, pet food, infant formula, diapers, cash or traveler’s checks, and toiletries.
Frijoles Fire cause: Here’s what we know
The Frijoles Fire, ignited by lightning, experienced a doubling in size overnight and remains uncontained. The fire expanded from 2,000 acres to nearly 3,300 acres between Sunday and Monday.
Over 100 firefighters are engaged in efforts to control the blaze before it advances towards Cundiyo. As of Monday afternoon, the fire was approximately 2.5 miles away.
Meanwhile, a local name Ashley Ponce, who resides just over two miles from the fire in Santa Fe County, spoke to KOB 4, saying: “It’s a little scary its more being nervous too, just kinda not knowing what’s going to happen.”
On Monday, neighbors were busy packing their belongings in anticipation of potential evacuation orders. Another local Julian Cordova mentioned that he had already prepared for such a scenario.
“I have two kids, all of their stuff is in bags. All of our clothes is in bags, like I said the vehicles, trailers, so pretty much if they say go, get all of our stuff in the trunk and get out of here,” Cordova said.
