Blab Sports
New Mexico Sports Teams Launch Frijoles Fire Relief Drive to Aid Communities Affected by Largest Wildfire of 2026
Albuquerque, New Mexico – New Mexico United, the Albuquerque Isotopes, the University of New Mexico (UNM) Athletics, and the New Mexico Goatheads announced today the launch of the Frijoles Fire Relief Drive. The initiative will collect non‑perishable food, bottled water, hygiene products, and other essential items at several sporting venues beginning this week.
The drive is a response to the Frijoles Fire, the largest wildfire of 2026 in New Mexico. The fire, which began on August 4 after a lightning strike, has expanded to 13,120 acres in Santa Fe County. According to the U.S. Forest Service, the blaze is 31 % contained and is being treated as a full suppression incident. It is burning in steep terrain 5 miles west of Sierra Mosca and 3 miles southeast of Cundiyo, within the Santa Fe National Forest and the Pecos Wilderness area.
“New Mexico United is excited to partner with the Isotopes, UNM and the Goatheads for this amazing drive that supports our local community when they need it the most,” said New Mexico United Communications Manager Carlos Tenorio II. “This drive helps make sure fellow New Mexicans can get the items they need when they need it the most. It takes all of us to make sure New Mexico is taken care of.”
The Isotopes will accept donations at home games and in the second‑floor front‑office area of their ballpark, while New Mexico United will take items at home games and in the team store. UNM Athletics will begin accepting donations at athletic events next week, and the Rio Rancho Event Center will also serve as a drop‑off point. The first round of supplies will be collected in the UNM Football trailer the week following the Lobos’ home opener on September 5.
“The Albuquerque Isotopes are proud to join forces with United, UNM, and the New Mexico Goatheads to support the Frijoles Fire Relief Effort and help families who are in desperate need of everyday essentials,” said Isotopes General Manager Chrissy Baines. “This collections drive is one small way we can bring hope, stability, and support to those facing unimaginable loss, and we’re grateful to stand alongside our fellow organizations to make a meaningful impact.”
UNM Athletics Director Ryan Berryman noted the university’s concern for the affected communities. “The New Mexico Lobos family has been saddened to see the devastation caused by the Frijoles Fire in Northern New Mexico,” Berryman said. “The Lobos, along with our colleagues with the Isotopes, United, and Goatheads are thinking about our fellow New Mexicans during this time. I hope supporters from all programs will join us in this relief effort.”
New Mexico Goatheads General Manager Jared Johnson added, “New Mexico is our home, and helping our neighbors is bigger than hockey. We’re proud to stand alongside the other teams and organizations working together to support the communities affected by the Frijoles Fire.”
The fire’s rapid spread has forced many students and student‑athletes in northern New Mexico to stay indoors as smoke drifts into surrounding cities. Firefighters have deployed aircraft and ground crews to the steep terrain, and the Santa Fe National Forest has issued a temporary closure that includes the Pecos Wilderness area. The U.S. Forest Service continues to monitor containment progress and advises visitors to exercise caution near firefighting operations.
The Frijoles Fire’s size and intensity underscore the growing threat of wildfires in the region. While the 2026 season has seen several large blazes, this incident ranks as the third‑largest wildfire in New Mexico for the year, following the Cerro Grande Fire of 2000 and the Las Conchas Fire of 2011.
The Frijoles Fire Relief Drive represents a coordinated effort by local sports organizations to provide tangible aid to communities in need. By leveraging the high‑traffic venues of professional soccer, minor‑league baseball, college athletics, and hockey, the partners aim to gather a substantial volume of supplies that will be distributed to affected families and shelters. The initiative reflects a broader trend of sports entities engaging in community outreach during natural disasters.
As the fire continues to be contained, the relief drive will remain open through the remainder of the season. Participants are encouraged to bring items to the designated drop‑off locations, and the organizations will coordinate with local emergency services to ensure efficient delivery to those impacted by the blaze.
The drive is a response to the Frijoles Fire, the largest wildfire of 2026 in New Mexico. The fire, which began on August 4 after a lightning strike, has expanded to 13,120 acres in Santa Fe County. According to the U.S. Forest Service, the blaze is 31 % contained and is being treated as a full suppression incident. It is burning in steep terrain 5 miles west of Sierra Mosca and 3 miles southeast of Cundiyo, within the Santa Fe National Forest and the Pecos Wilderness area.
“New Mexico United is excited to partner with the Isotopes, UNM and the Goatheads for this amazing drive that supports our local community when they need it the most,” said New Mexico United Communications Manager Carlos Tenorio II. “This drive helps make sure fellow New Mexicans can get the items they need when they need it the most. It takes all of us to make sure New Mexico is taken care of.”
The Isotopes will accept donations at home games and in the second‑floor front‑office area of their ballpark, while New Mexico United will take items at home games and in the team store. UNM Athletics will begin accepting donations at athletic events next week, and the Rio Rancho Event Center will also serve as a drop‑off point. The first round of supplies will be collected in the UNM Football trailer the week following the Lobos’ home opener on September 5.
“The Albuquerque Isotopes are proud to join forces with United, UNM, and the New Mexico Goatheads to support the Frijoles Fire Relief Effort and help families who are in desperate need of everyday essentials,” said Isotopes General Manager Chrissy Baines. “This collections drive is one small way we can bring hope, stability, and support to those facing unimaginable loss, and we’re grateful to stand alongside our fellow organizations to make a meaningful impact.”
UNM Athletics Director Ryan Berryman noted the university’s concern for the affected communities. “The New Mexico Lobos family has been saddened to see the devastation caused by the Frijoles Fire in Northern New Mexico,” Berryman said. “The Lobos, along with our colleagues with the Isotopes, United, and Goatheads are thinking about our fellow New Mexicans during this time. I hope supporters from all programs will join us in this relief effort.”
New Mexico Goatheads General Manager Jared Johnson added, “New Mexico is our home, and helping our neighbors is bigger than hockey. We’re proud to stand alongside the other teams and organizations working together to support the communities affected by the Frijoles Fire.”
The fire’s rapid spread has forced many students and student‑athletes in northern New Mexico to stay indoors as smoke drifts into surrounding cities. Firefighters have deployed aircraft and ground crews to the steep terrain, and the Santa Fe National Forest has issued a temporary closure that includes the Pecos Wilderness area. The U.S. Forest Service continues to monitor containment progress and advises visitors to exercise caution near firefighting operations.
The Frijoles Fire’s size and intensity underscore the growing threat of wildfires in the region. While the 2026 season has seen several large blazes, this incident ranks as the third‑largest wildfire in New Mexico for the year, following the Cerro Grande Fire of 2000 and the Las Conchas Fire of 2011.
The Frijoles Fire Relief Drive represents a coordinated effort by local sports organizations to provide tangible aid to communities in need. By leveraging the high‑traffic venues of professional soccer, minor‑league baseball, college athletics, and hockey, the partners aim to gather a substantial volume of supplies that will be distributed to affected families and shelters. The initiative reflects a broader trend of sports entities engaging in community outreach during natural disasters.
As the fire continues to be contained, the relief drive will remain open through the remainder of the season. Participants are encouraged to bring items to the designated drop‑off locations, and the organizations will coordinate with local emergency services to ensure efficient delivery to those impacted by the blaze.
