An incident support crew member died following a medical emergency while supporting the 15,200-acre New Mexico wildfire

By John Miller
Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE, N.M. — The Forest Service has announced that a crew member supporting operations on the Frijoles Fire northeast of Santa Fe died in a “medical incident” on Sunday, leading fire managers to cancel a public meeting that had been set for Truchas Monday evening.

“Emergency personnel responded immediately, the patient was transported to a local hospital and despite the efforts of emergency medical responders, the patient did not survive the medical event,” the announcement reads.

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The Forest Service said the person who died was an “incident support crew member” but didn’t provide their name or other details surrounding their death. The Journal has sent inquiries for additional information after the crew member’s family has been notified of the incident.

“Our hearts are with the family, friends, coworkers and all those affected by this tragic loss,” Incident Commander Mike Page said in a statement. “Every person supporting the Frijoles Fire is an important part of our team. We are grieving alongside our fire family and will do everything we can to support those impacted.”

Fire managers under the command of California Interagency Incident Management Team 8 were planning to update the public on firefighting operations Monday evening at the Truchas Community Center, near the northwestern edge of the lightning-caused wildfire.

In a regular video update posted to social media Monday morning, Forest Service Operations Trainee Forrest Gale said 913 personnel are now dedicated to the fire, which has hovered around 15,200 acres since Friday and is now 46% contained.

On Monday, heavy equipment operators were working to establish lines near Gorham Boy Scout Ranch the village of Cundiyo. Meanwhile, a hotshot crew is still building hand line and providing fire suppression on the southern end of the fire, north of Rio Nambe.

Gale said patrols and mop-up efforts continue on the western flank of the fire, where several small villages have been exposed.

“We are looking really good on that side of the fire,” he said.

Aircraft and ground personnel continued to work on line and suppression efforts on the north side of the fire Monday. Crews are also continuing to build indirect confinement lines — control barriers built well behind the fire’s edge — on the northeastern perimeter of the fire, near the Truchas Land Grant and Carson National Forest.

Hot and dry conditions were expected to continue on Monday, with temperatures in the upper 80s and a slight chance of thunderstorms.

A new wildfire start was reported in the Pecos-Las Vegas Ranger District of Santa Fe National Forest on Sunday. While the fire’s cause remains undetermined, lightning was visible in the area around the time the new blaze was reported.

Lightning strikes remain a major cause of wildfire in New Mexico this summer and continue to keep wildland agencies on high alert as the Southwest’s monsoon season falls short of precipitation averages.

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