The Cow Fire on the Pecos Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest started by lightening striking a tree about 6 miles northeast of the village of Pecos near Cow Creek. When the tree that was hit by lightning fell, fire started creeping slowly down the slopes. Since July 18, it has been backing up and burning through grasses and heavy fuels on the ground. The strategy is to let the Cow Fire treat those heavy fuels to mitigate the risk of future high-intensity wildfire. A rocky area on the north side of the fire is holding it, and green drainages to the east and west of the fire will help keep it from growing. Fire crews are monitoring the Cow Fire on a daily basis.