Two Firefighters Entrapped On The Laguna Fire In The Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico.
There was an entrapment on the Laguna Fire in the Santa Fe National Forest this weekend, after the fire drastically increased in activity. This lightning-caused fire was declared to be a managed wildfire before the weather turned, and a thunderstorm with outflow winds caused increased activity and spot fires.
6-30-2025: The Santa Fe National Forest plans to manage the Laguna Wildfire. The wildfire is burning in areas that have historic burned areas and previous prescribed fire. Fire managers will start firing operations as early as this week with the aim of restoring the ecological process of fire across approximately 13,000 acres of forest land.
A Southwest CIMT took command of the fire today.
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE: From: Shaun Sanchez, Forest Supervisor, Santa Fe National Forest
Location: Laguna Fire, Division Bravo, Coyote Ranger District, 8 miles north of New Mexico State Road 96 and west of the Chama River Canyon Wilderness.
Date of Occurrence: July 12, 2025
Time of Occurrence: Approximately 1430 MDT
Activity: Fire Suppression
Number of Injuries: None
Number of Fatalities:
None Property Damage: N/A
Narrative: At approximately 1430 MDT on July 12th, firefighters were engaged in suppression activities on Division Bravo of the Laguna Fire on the Santa Fe National Forest. Strong outflow winds from a passing thunderstorm caused rapid fire growth in the area where a dozer was working, and two firefighters, the dozer Operator and the Heavy Equipment Boss (HEQB), became entrapped. The two firefighters were later evaluated and cleared by incident medical personnel who determined no significant injuries. A Rapid Lessons Sharing (RLS) team is being mobilized to help generate a better understanding of the network of influences that led to this incident.
I was able to speak to a few people on the fire when this occurred. The only added detail I received, which is not official information, is that they did pull fire shelters to help deflect the radiant heat from the fire.
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Do you know if the dozer had fire barrier curtains in the interior of the cab? Check out: www.stormkingmtn.com