Albuquerque Fire Rescue

08/31/2026

On August 14, AFR deployed Ambo-1 and its crew to the Frijoles Fire, burning in the Española Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest. The Frijoles Fire has burned more than 15,000 acres and is 59% contained, with nearly 600 personnel currently assigned to the incident. The Ambo-1 crew is assigned to the incident through September 4.

Ambo-1 is staffed by one paramedic and one EMT-B and serves as a dedicated fire-line EMS resource. The unit is built on a 4x4 chassis spec’d for off-road operations.

A day in the life of Ambo 7, the incident designation given to Ambo-1, begins at the Incident Command Post (ICP). Crews wake up in tents, have breakfast and procure the supplies needed for their operational period which typically lasts 16 hours. After multiple briefings, and breakouts, the crew heads to the fire line. There, Ambo 7 stages at a central location to maximize its response capability to IWIs, Incidents Within the Incident, across a significant portion of the fire.

Working with line medics, EMTs, REM teams and medical modules, the crew helps move patients from austere locations and environments to a point where they can be packaged and prepared for transport. Transport can be to a hospital, a rendezvous with a local 911 ambulance, an air ambulance or, in some cases, on-site medical resources at the ICP or a more remote location known as a spike camp.

During this deployment, Ambo 7 has transported one line medic to on-site medical resources and transferred three patients to local 911 resources. One of those patients was a member of a Hotshot crew who suffered a heat-related illness. Tragically, one of those patient transfers later resulted in a line-of-duty death associated with the incident. The patient had been transferred from Ambo 7 to a local 911 ambulance before their condition ultimately proved fatal.

The job of a transport ambulance on a wildland incident is one readiness, the ability to respond wherever needed, to ensure the health, safety and well-being of those who need medical care. Firefighters, medics, EMTs, REM teams, medical modules, ambulance crews and air resources all have a role to play in providing care in remote environments.

08/31/2026

On Sunday August 30th, at approximately 10:21pm, Albuquerque Fire Rescue was dispatched to 5520 Marble Ave NE for reports of a structure fire. They coded the incident a 69E5 and dispatched the appropriate assignment. Engine 11 was the first arriving unit, reporting a single story, single family residential structure with smoke and flames visible on arrival. E11 initiated a coordinated fire attack with Medic 11 simultaneously working on a primary search. The structure was also noted to be boarded up with hoarding conditions found within, creating difficulty locating the fire and searching. Increasing fire conditions required a strategic change to defensive fire operations, however the fire was extinguished within 14 minutes. There was heavy smoke, water, and fire damage to the interior of the structure. There were no occupants of the structure and no one will be displaced as a result of this event. No firefighters or civilians were injured during this event. The AFR Fire Investigation Division also responded to determine origin and cause of the event. No other information is currently available.

08/30/2026

Multifamily Dwelling:

On 08/30/2026 at approximately 3:41 P.M Albuquerque Fire Rescue was dispatched to the Arrow Head Pointe Apartments located at 12021 Skyline rd NE for reports of a possible kitchen fire. Engine 12, Rescue 12, Battalion 2 all arrived on scene at the same time. Battalion 2 took command and reported a 2-story multifamily dwelling with nothing showing. Upon investigation E12 located the apartment and had light smoke showing from the front door of a second story apartment. This was a kitchen fire over the stove and was able to be fully extinguished using water based fire extinguishers that the unit was already carrying with them. The fire was brought under control within 10 minutes of their arrival. Damage to the structure was mostly contained to stove area and some small cabinets above the stove. No injuries of civilians or firefighters was reported. 2 kittens were rescued from the apartment. One apartment was affected and 4 occupants were displaced. The occupants were assisted by Red Cross and on site management. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental.

08/29/2026

On 8/28/2026 at approximately 1429 hours Albuquerque Fire Rescue was dispatched to the 6500 block of Sunset Gardens SW for reports of a structure fire at a single-family dwelling. Rescue 7 arrived on scene and reported a working fire with smoke coming from the eaves. Engine 7 stretched a line for fire control, Rescue 7 went in for search, Ladder 7 went to the roof for ventilation and Engine 14 established a water supply. The fire was brought under control within 10 minutes of their arrival. Searches of the structure were all clear. Damage to the structure was significant and fire damage mostly contained to the area of origin with smoke and water damage throughout.

Two civilians were injured and transported to a local hospital. A total of four occupants were displaced and were assisted by Red Cross. AFR Fire Investigators responded to determine the cause and origin of the fire. No additional information is available at this time.

08/27/2026

LINK IN COMMENTS: She's lived in her Albuquerque home for over two decades, but a fire will keep her out of it for months. That fire didn't start with a stove or dryer but with an electrical outlet.

08/27/2026

https://youtu.be/M_JOvij2Qck?is=b_tYzTeyqY1Ya6FY

How to join Albuquerque Fire Rescue: eligibility and requirements

08/27/2026

On August 27, 2026 just after 11:30am, Albuquerque Fire Rescue and Bernalillo County Fire Rescue responded to a residential structure fire at 9800 block of Tintara SW. The occupants reported their house was on fire and had exited the structure but a dog was still inside the residence.

Engine 23 arrived on scene, reported smoke showing and took command of a working fire. Engine 23 stretched a line for fire control and search. BCFR Battalion 8 took command on arrival. Engine 14 went in for search and assisted with establishing a water supply. Ladder 7 assisted with a search and Ladder 17 was assigned ventilation.

Primary search of the home was declared all clear in five minutes of arrival. Ladder 7 located one dog inside and brought it out to the occupants. Engine 23 had fire under control in 10 minutes of arrival.

Three occupants and a dog will be displaced and will be assisted by family. No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental.

08/27/2026

One firefighter remembered 343 firefighters in 2003; Albuquerque firefighters have continued that remembrance for more than two decades.

What has become the Albuquerque Firefighters 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb is an event that goes back to 2003, when Lieutenant Cogburn, who was deployed in Afghanistan, ascended a two-story building 55 times wearing body armor, a helmet and an M-4 rifle to honor the firefighters lost at the World Trade Center.

He returned home, and in 2004, the stair climb was held for the first time in the United States and became the Albuquerque Firefighters 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.

What began with Engine 5 and Engine 2 being dispatched at 8:46 AM to Albuquerque’s tallest building to ascend its 22 stories, 5 times, has grown in size and scope, but the spirit remains. Firefighters gather to memorialize the fallen with tradition, reflection and ritual.

Firefighters gather to Never Forget.

08/26/2026

Albuquerque Fire Rescue’s water rescues are largely dictated by Mother Nature.

One of the lowest snowpacks on record and minimal spring runoff meant no river rescue deployments this spring. A disappointing monsoon and below-average rainfall have also contributed to fewer flood-channel rescue responses.

Flood Channel & River Rescue Responses

2022 — 9
2023 — 17
2024 — 30
2025 — 8
2026 YTD — 5

Monsoon season continues through September, and unpredictable weather patterns are always possible in Albuquerque.

Albuquerque’s arroyo and flood-channel system is an integral part of the city’s flood-control infrastructure. These channels are designed to move and manage stormwater during heavy rainfall and monsoon events, but they can create extremely dangerous conditions for anyone in or around them.

Please report arroyo encampments to 311 and call 911 for anyone threatened or swept away by floodwaters.

Flood channels can go from DRY to DEADLY in minutes.

08/26/2026

Commercial Structure Fire:

On August 25,, at 6:28 PM, Albuquerque Fire Rescue was dispatched to Lowes Hardware Store, located at 2001 12th St NW for reports of a possible Structure fire. First arriving AFR unit Engine 4 arrived on scene and reported a large commercial building with working fire conditions coming from the rear of the structure. The fire was brought under control within 11 minutes of their arrival. Damage to the structure was mostly contained to a large group of stacked cardboard in the rear of the structure. No injuries of civilians or firefighters was reported. Fire investigators arrived on scene and the cause is still under investigation.