Taos County Office of Emergency Management

07/25/2026

After thunderstorms rolled through the area today, firefighters responded to numerous smoke reports across the forest.

Most notably, the lightning-caused Maestas Fire off Forest Road 439 (south of Pot Creek) grew to two acres. Crews went direct and built control lines around the fire’s entire perimeter. They’ll continue to work the fire throughout the weekend.

Crews also responded to smoke reports near Chamisal and Dulce. They will continue to search for and extinguish any fires found.

07/05/2026

What Containment Really Means: A Wildfire Isn’t Out Until It’s Out

When you hear that a wildfire is contained or has partial containment, it’s easy to assume the fire is almost out—but that’s not the case. Containment refers to the portion of a wildfire’s perimeter where control lines—such as hand-dug firebreaks, bulldozer lines or natural barriers—have been completed to prevent the fire from spreading. It does not mean that the fire is no longer burning or that it’s safe to return to the area.

Take the Beehive Fire, for example, which recently reached 11% containment from 0%. That indicates that this is the percentage of the fire’s edge that is surrounded by established lines and barriers that firefighters are confident will hold. However, within the interior of the fire, hot spots may still be smoldering and crews remain on scene to patrol and mop up areas of lingering heat to prevent flare-ups. This fire is still actively being fought on multiple fronts, and its potential to spread remains, especially with changes in weather, terrain or wind.

Even when a wildfire is mostly contained, it can stay dangerous until fully extinguished—a process that can take days, weeks, or months. Containment measures firefighting progress, not whether a fire is out. Evacuations may remain, and crews stay on scene to eliminate all heat, smoke and embers, above and below ground, to prevent reignition. Containment progress is encouraging, but the fire isn’t truly over until it’s completely out.

For information on the Beehive Fire, go to: https://bit.ly/Beehive-Fire-2026

07/03/2026

07/01/2026

BEEHIVE FIRE EVENING UPDATE
Wednesday, June 30, 2026
Size: 4,170
Containment: 0%

Firefighters took advantage of favorable conditions today to make additional progress on the Beehive Fire. Lighter winds, cooler temperatures and scattered precipitation throughout the day contributed to moderate fire behavior, allowing crews to strengthen containment lines and continue suppression efforts safely and effectively. The milder conditions also helped reduce smoke impacts and improve air quality and visibility in nearby communities.

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), or drones, were used to support firefighting operations by utilizing infrared technology to identify heat sources within and around the fire perimeter. Infrared flights continue to play an important role in helping firefighters locate areas of lingering heat that may not be visible from the ground. The most concentrated heat remains along the fire's northeast flank, where fire activity has been most active in recent days.

Firefighters will continue to monitor areas of remaining heat and address hotspots to reduce the potential for additional fire growth as weather conditions evolve. In addition to suppression efforts on the Beehive Fire, the Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management is also supporting initial attack operations on new fire starts in the surrounding area. Earlier today, resources responded to the Bees Nest Fire, a small wildfire near the Beehive Fire, and quickly contained and extinguished it before it could spread. Initial attack crews remain available and ready to respond to any new incidents, helping protect nearby communities, natural resources, and ongoing firefighting operations on the Beehive Fire.

For more fire information, go to https://nmfireinfo.com/ or https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/

06/29/2026

An overnight infrared flight gave Beehive Fire managers a more accurate look at the fire's current size, which is 3,121 acres. There was no significant growth overnight.

The Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management Team took command of the fire’s management today at 6 a.m. Meanwhile, crews are back on scene, using a direct extinguishment strategy, stopping flames at the fire's edge, as much as possible, focusing on protecting private land within the forest. Aircraft will assist where needed. Containment remains at 0%.

While there is not a Red Flag Warning today, winds are forecast to be 20-25 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph. Temperatures will be in the mid-70s with the relative humidity dipping to near single digits.

SAFETY

Fire managers are asking drivers to take caution and slow down when in the area, as periods of heavy smoke are occurring along highways 64 and 285.

Hikers on the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail may want to consider skipping the section between Hopewell Lake and the Rio Grande National Forest.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS

Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in effect, increasing to Stage 2 at 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

BACKGROUND

The Beehive Fire was first reported at about 1 p.m. on June 26 to the north of Highway 64 in the Tusas Valley, about 15 miles west of Tres Piedras. It was first called in by the crew of a detection flight, which was ordered to survey the forest after recent lightning activity.

LINKS

- Map (PDF): https://ftp.wildfire.gov/public/incident_specific_maps/southwest/2026/2026_Beehive/IR/20260629/20260629_Beehive_IR_11x17_Imagery.pdf?utm_source=MarketingCloud&utm_medium=email

- Fire Restrictions: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/carson/alerts/current-fire-restrictions-and-related-prohibitions

06/29/2026

BEEHIVE FIRE EVENING UPDATE

Amid another Red Flag Warning, firefighters continued to work the Beehive Fire, which has grown to an estimated 2,236 acres with 0% containment. Most of the growth was on the fire’s flanks while its head did not significantly progress, remaining in the Lamy Peak area.

Helicopters and air tankers worked on the fire when winds allowed while dozers and ground crews focused on building control lines. A night shift will patrol the fire area this evening, focusing on structures on nearby private properties.

The Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management Team will take command of the fire’s management Monday morning.

WEATHER

There are no Red Flag Warnings or other active watches, warnings or advisories forecasted for the area at this time.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS

Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in effect, increasing to Stage 2 at 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

BACKGROUND

The Beehive Fire was first reported at about 1 p.m. on June 26 to the north of Highway 64 in the Tusas Valley, about 15 miles west of Tres Piedras. It was first called in by the crew of a detection flight, which was ordered to survey the forest after recent lightning activity.