Colle Fire on Santa Fe National Forest

By SFNF

Start Date:  July 19, 2020

Cause:  Lightning

Size:   5+ acres

Location:  Jemez Ranger District, 1 mile east of Aspen Peak and approximately 4.5 miles south of the community of Cochiti Mesa. The Colle Fire is located inside the burn scare of the 2011 Las Conchas Fire.

Containment:  0%. The fire is currently in monitor status.

Fuels:  Primarily dead timber and oak brush, with light to moderate fuel loads.

Topography:  Extremely rugged terrain with limited access.

Weather:  A prolonged monsoon pattern from Wednesday through the end of the week is expected to bring slow-moving thunderstorms and a 70% chance of precipitation with winds from the southeast at 10-15mph and 73-93% humidity.

Resources: The Colle Fire is being monitored at a distance by ground and air resources.

Values at Risk:  There are no immediate values at risk.

Safety:  The fire is located in extremely steep terrain in a snag patch of dead timber, which poses extreme hazards to firefighters on the ground. Drones pose a serious risk to firefighting and can cause air operations to cease. The public is reminded that “If you fly, we can’t!”

Strategy:  Based on several factors, including firefighter safety, fire location, available fuels, weather forecasts and values at risk, the Colle Fire is in monitor status.

Smoke:   Although the fire is not very active, smoke may be visible from the community of Cochiti Mesa and along Forest Road 289 and NM State Highway 4. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

Fire updates will be posted on the New Mexico Fire Information website and on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.