SANTA FE, NM – July 17, 2017 – For Immediate Release. The Cajete Fire on the Santa Fe National Forest’s Jemez Ranger District was declared controlled at 12:45 p.m. Sunday, July 16, thanks to recent moisture that arrived with the monsoon season. The 1,412-acre Cajete Fire, which started on June 15 from an abandoned campfire, has been 96% contained since June 21.
Incident command determined that the uncontained 4% of the fire perimeter was not safe for firefighters to enter. The area near Los Griegos Peak is in the burn scar from the 2011 Las Conchas Fire and still contains multiple hazard trees or “snags” which can fall without warning. The burn scar held the fire in place without exposing firefighters to unnecessary risk.
The June 20 order which closed all lands, roads and trails within the Cajete Fire perimeter remains in place until July 31, unless it is rescinded earlier. The closure order includes a segment of the Las Conchas Trail (#137) between the last bridge coming from the Las Conchas Trailhead (before the trail ascends) and the East Fork Trailhead.