June 16, 2017

Location: Jemez Ranger District on the Santa Fe National Forest, on both sides of NM Highway 4 along the southern boundary of the Valles Caldera National Preserve. The Cajete Fire appears to have started approximately one mile northeast of Vallecitos de los Indios. The fire area runs along the East Fork of the Jemez River and is to the west of the burn scars from the 2011 Las Conchas Fire and the 2013 Thompson Ridge Fire.

Start Date: June 15, 2017

Cause: Unknown

Size: 700 acres

Vegetation: Ponderosa pin, mixed conifer, aspen.

Resources Assigned: Approximately 130 personnel on scene today with multiple engines, one bulldozer, Type 1 helicopter, three air tankers, a Very Large Air Tanker (VLAT), lead plane and air attack.

Summary: Fire crews established a good anchor on the west side of the fire yesterday. The strategy is full suppression. Crews are working to establish perimeter control with structure and other protection. The first priority is always firefighter and public safety.

Closures and Evacuations: NM Highway 4 remains closed from the intersection of NM Highway 126 to the intersection of NM Highway 501. Evacuations were ordered yesterday for several communities, including Ruby Holt Plat, Los Griegos and Sierra de Los Pinos. The public is asked to avoid the area.

Fire Weather: Fire weather conditions continue with temperatures in the low to mid 80s and minimum relative humidities between 4-8% are expected to continue through the weekend. Winds are mostly west to northwesterly, pushing the fire to the east and southeast. The fire area has had little to no moisture over the last two weeks, and hot, dry conditions are expected to continue.

Smoke: We anticipate degrading air quality in the Rio Grande Valley due to smoke from the Cajete Fire.