News and Articles
09/01/2026
All evacuation preparedness levels are lowered for Santa Fe County
SANTA FE, N.M., Sept. 1, 2026—Due to increased containment and improving conditions on the Frijoles Fire, the Santa Fe County Fire Department lowered the evacuation preparedness levels for all of Santa Fe County.
New Mexico State Road 503 reopened to regular traffic; however, Forest Roads may still be closed. Visitors should avoid closed areas and follow all posted closure signs and directions from law enforcement and U.S. Forest Service personnel.
“The removal of the remaining Ready status and the reopening of New Mexico 503 mark significant milestones in the Frijoles Fire,” said Santa Fe County Fire Chief Jacob Black. “These steps are possible because of the tremendous work of the local, state, and federal personnel who have worked collaboratively since the beginning of this incident to protect our communities and bring the fire under control. While the fire is now 59% contained, significant work remains, particularly in the wilderness areas. We are incredibly grateful to the firefighters and support personnel who continue this difficult work and to our residents for their patience, cooperation, and support throughout the incident.”
Although the status has been reduced, the Frijoles Fire remains an active incident and conditions may change. Residents should be aware of conditions and monitor official information.
Santa Fe County continues to coordinate with the U.S. Forest Service and other partner agencies regarding the Frijoles Fire. The U.S. Forest Service remains in command of the fire and is the official source for incident information. Check the Frijoles Fire InciWeb page for updates, announcements, closures, and other news.
Sign up for Alert Santa Fe, the County's official emergency notification system, to receive emergency information, including updates on evacuation status.
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