A wildland firefighter from Arizona died while battling the Frijoles Fire in northern New Mexico.

Authorities say Randy Lupe, 62, had a medical emergency while he was working as a temporary emergency support crew member as part of the federal government's wildfire response.

The U.S. Department of the Interior said in an Aug. 25 news release that it is not sharing more details about the medical issue that led to Lupe's death, out of consideration for his family.

"We are profoundly saddened by the loss of a wildland fire crewmember who died while supporting firefighting efforts," U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy said in a written statement.

"Every member of our wildland fire workforce plays a vital role in our emergency response efforts, and this loss is felt across the entire wildland fire community. Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, friends and crewmates at this difficult time."

The Rock Canyon Fire started on June 15, 2026. It's burned over 1,000 acres. (Provided by InciWeb)
The Rock Canyon Fire started on June 15, 2026. It's burned over 1,000 acres. (Provided by InciWeb)
Crews respond to a fire on Forest Service Road 24 north of Bronco Trailhead on the Cave Creek Ranger District on May 16, 2026. (Provided by U.S. Forest Service-Tonto National Forest)
Crews respond to a fire on Forest Service Road 24 north of Bronco Trailhead on the Cave Creek Ranger District on May 16, 2026. (Provided by U.S. Forest Service-Tonto National Forest)
Crews respond to a fire on Forest Service Road 24 north of Bronco Trailhead on the Cave Creek Ranger District on May 16, 2026. (Provided by U.S. Forest Service-Tonto National Forest)
Crews respond to a fire on Forest Service Road 24 north of Bronco Trailhead on the Cave Creek Ranger District on May 16, 2026. (Provided by U.S. Forest Service-Tonto National Forest)
Crews respond to a fire on Forest Service Road 24 north of Bronco Trailhead on the Cave Creek Ranger District on May 16, 2026. (Provided by U.S. Forest Service-Tonto National Forest)
Crews respond to a fire on Forest Service Road 24 north of Bronco Trailhead on the Cave Creek Ranger District on May 16, 2026. (Provided by U.S. Forest Service-Tonto National Forest)
The Yaqui Fire burns within Coronado National Memorial on May 15, 2026. Air support drops fire suppressant while ground crews stand at the ready.The latest: Southern Arizona park reopens after crews block fire's progress (Provided by Coronado National Memorial/J. Perrota/NPS)
The Yaqui Fire burns within Coronado National Memorial on May 15, 2026. Air support drops fire suppressant while ground crews stand at the ready.The latest: Southern Arizona park reopens after crews block fire's progress (Provided by Coronado National Memorial/J. Perrota/NPS)
The Hazen Fire near Buckeye, Arizona, began on May 2, 2026. (Provided by Arizona Rangers)
The Hazen Fire near Buckeye, Arizona, began on May 2, 2026. (Provided by Arizona Rangers)
The Horseshoe Fire near Horseshoe Lake in the Tonto National Forest began May 7, 2026. (Provided by Tonto National Forest)
The Horseshoe Fire near Horseshoe Lake in the Tonto National Forest began May 7, 2026. (Provided by Tonto National Forest)
The Shaw Fire started on private property on April 20 then spread into the Coronado National Forest and grew to an estimated 20 acres in two hours. (Provided by U.S. Forest Service)
The Shaw Fire started on private property on April 20 then spread into the Coronado National Forest and grew to an estimated 20 acres in two hours. (Provided by U.S. Forest Service)
The Rim Fire started March 21, 2026 southwest of Forest Lakes in northern Arizona. (Provided by Forest Lakes Fire District)
The Rim Fire started March 21, 2026 southwest of Forest Lakes in northern Arizona. (Provided by Forest Lakes Fire District)

Lupe was a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe.

He is one of several Arizona firefighters who have died in the line of duty so far this year.

Nicholas Hutcherson, 27, was one of three federal wildland firefighters killed in June while responding to the Snyder Fire near the border of Colorado and Utah.

The Frijoles Fire has burned over 15,000 acres in the Santa Fe National Forest. The blaze was 52 percent contained as of Aug. 25.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona wildland firefighter dies while battling a blaze in New Mexico