Wildland firefighters have started containing a blaze in Rio Arriba County as their colleagues fight a few new wildfires in the Taos area.

The 5,000-acre Middle Mesa Fire, which was sparked by lightning a week ago west of Dulce, is now at 15% containment due to "decisive action from firefighters," according to a Saturday morning news release from the Southwest Area Incident Management Team.

There are 436 firefighters battling the fire, including five crews, 24 engines, three helicopters, two bulldozers and seven water tenders. It is partially contained along Forest Road 218, fire officials said.

"Across the entire fire’s edge, crews are mopping up, extinguishing hot spots and patrolling," the release states. "The fire is burning most actively in Alamo Canyon on the south and southwest s

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