Wildfire near Chicoma Mountain grows to 30 acres, 0% contained

Smoke from the Oso Canyon Fire spread across Española, Pojoaque, Ohkay Owingeh and Mendenales after the blaze was discovered during the early afternoon of July 26 in Rio del Oso Canyon near Chicoma Mountain on the Española Ranger District. The fire burned in timber and brush inside the Santa Fe National Forest and grew to 30 acres with 0% containment before firefighters finished a handline around it and declared it contained July 30.

On July 27, smoke jumpers were directly engaging the fire while hand crews scouted for line construction. No closures were in effect then, but the public was advised to avoid the area because crews were working in steep terrain and thunderstorms were forecast.

By July 28, crews were still building handline through rough terrain and weather. The fire remained at 30 acres and 0% containment, with 23 personnel assigned as firefighters worked in a narrow canyon northeast of Chicoma Mountain. Timber and brush were feeding the fire, a combination that can carry flames quickly through dry summer vegetation.

The incident stayed at 30 acres on July 29, when 18 personnel were assigned and containment was still at 0%. A final U.S. Forest Service update on July 30 said firefighters had completed the handline and contained the fire, revising the final size to 26.7 acres. The cause was listed as unknown.