A fire burning in the Carson National Forest east of Taos has grown to an estimated 429 acres with zero containment so far.
Officials say the so-called Midnight Fire is mostly creeping and smoldering with little progression Thursday due to colder temperatures and a change of fuel type.
Fuels changed from mixed conifer and spruce to grass and aspen groves on Wednesday.
They say the rugged terrain, abundance of beetle-killed trees and other observed hazards also call for a change of strategy.
A decision has been made to implement a confine and contain suppression strategy rather than attempt a direct attack and compromise firefighter safety.
The fire was reported Tuesday about 5 miles northeast of the town of Red River.
Its cause remains under investigation.