SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – Officials have put out a fire south of Santa Fe that led people to evacuate their homes earlier Saturday evening.

Officials say about 5 to 10 acres were burned in the Las Lagunitas subdivision in La Cienega, beginning around 4:30 p.m. Saturday. The fire was extinguished by 9 p.m., although crews were still mopping up hot spots.

One woman who left her home explained the chaotic scene. “It was about 4 o’clock, we were just at home relaxing. We were like, there’s a fire! You know, this is our home, so we definitely had to come run here to see how much damage it was going to do. And as soon as we got there, the flames were already all over, and it was windy and spreading it even more,” said Las Lagunitas resident Amberlee Dominguez.

Santa Fe County Fire Battalion Chief Eric Gonzales said at least 15 homes were evacuated as a precaution with help from New Mexico State Police, but no structures burned and nobody was injured. It’s unclear how the fire on the three acres of private and state land started.

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