Schwachheim Fire Flares Up Sunday Afternoon North of Lake Dorothy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Colfax County Fire Marshal’s Office

Wildland Fire Response Near Lake Dorothy – Unified Effort Ongoing

Colfax County, NM — 4/12/2026

At approximately 2:30 pm on Sunday, April 12, fire crews were dispatched to a reported tree fire around Lake Dorothy, in Colorado just north of Lake Maloya on the Sugarite Canyon State Park.

Due to established mutual aid agreements between New Mexico and Colorado agencies, crews from Raton Fire Department and Colfax County Rapid Response arrived on scene quickly, conducted an initial size-up, and began fire suppression operations.

Colorado response agencies were notified and responded to assist. Command was transitioned into a unified command structure to support coordinated interagency operations and ensure an effective response.

Additional resources were requested to support suppression efforts, including equipment to improve access for ground crews. Two dozers were deployed and successfully constructed containment lines around the fire perimeter. A helicopter was also assigned and completed multiple water drops; aerial operations are scheduled to resume Monday morning.

The fire is currently estimated at approximately 70–80 acres.

Fire behavior has moderated due to improving environmental conditions, including reduced wind, lower temperatures, and increased relative humidity. These factors are expected to aid overnight recovery and fire crews will return Monday morning to continue suppression operations and strengthen containment lines.

The Colfax County Fire Marshal’s Office asks the public to rely on official sources for information and avoid spreading unverified reports on social media. Fire personnel from both New Mexico and Colorado remain actively engaged in containing the fire and limiting further growth.

Colfax County Fire Marshal’s Office

Phone: 575-445-8931 Cell: 575-447-1639 Fax: 575-445-7154