Wolf Draw Fire Update

By SFNF

Start date:  May 29, 2021

Location:  Approximately 30 miles north of Cuba and 11 miles northwest of Regina on the Cuba Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF), Rio Arriba County

Cause:  Human. The Wolf Draw Fire was caused by an illegal abandoned campfire that escaped the fire ring over the Memorial Day weekend. The west side of the SFNF is currently under Stage 1 fire restrictions, which prohibit dispersed campfires.

Size:  712 acres

Percent Contained:  70%

Resources:  1 type 4 engine, 1 type 6 engine, 4 hand crews, 1 ambulance, 1 Rapid Extraction Module (REM) Team, 1 air attack platform and 2 Type 3 helicopters.

Fuels:  Ponderosa pine and mixed conifer

Operations:  Crews completed direct control line around the perimeter of the Wolf Draw Fire and will continue mop-up operations through Sunday. Fire behavior is minimal with some smoldering and creeping. The Type 3 Incident Management Team is planning to return command of the Wolf Draw Fire to a local Type 4 team at 6 a.m. Monday.

Weather: The same pattern of scattered showers and thunderstorms continued today, but drier air filtering in from the west will reduce the chance of precipitation on Sunday and Monday. A 30% chance of precipitation tonight will be accompanied by winds out of the north at 10 to 15 mph.

Objectives: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Other objectives  on the Wolf Draw Fire include limiting fire impacts on cultural resources, oil and gas infrastructure, private property, canyon ecosystems and Mexican spotted owl habitat.

Smoke:  Minimal smoke impacts are expected from the Wolf Draw Fire due to its remote location. Depending on fire behavior, smoke may be visible in the Dulce area. 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.