Media Contact: (505)438-5320 Multiple fires contained using a full suppression strategy Santa Fe, NM, June 18, 2026 — Recent thunderstorms and increased fire danger brought multiple fire starts on the Santa Fe National Forest. The Rio Fire, located in the Espanola Ranger District, continues to burn in brush, heavy dead-and-down fuels. The fire is 0% contained […]

Suppression Repair Underway on Bear Fire  Acres: 7,769 acres Start Date: June 9, 2026  Location: 18 miles southeast of Quemado, NM Personnel: 358 Containment: 82% Cause: Lightning  Summary: Firefighters focused on strengthening and securing containment lines yesterday as hot, dry, and windy conditions presented an increased threat for fire activity across the incident. Crews extinguished hot spots near the fire’s edge to keep the fire within its current footprint. As containment continues to increase, resources and personnel assigned to the […]

Withington Wilderness – San Mateo Mountains (Albuquerque, NM – June 18, 2026) — Yesterday firefighters responded to an aviation detected wildfire in eastern Withington Wilderness within the San Mateo Mountains. Ground crews located 2 lightning-struck trees. Firefighters actively engaged the fire to stop fire spread using direct extinguishment strategy. Crews remained on scene through the […]

Northern New Mexico Type 3 Team ordered Santa Fe, NM, June 17, 2026 —The Rio Fire located in the Espanola Ranger District on Mesa De La Gallina three miles northeast of Chicoma Mountain has grown to 128 acres. Red flag conditions, heavy dead-and-down fuels and limited safe access to the fire contributed to the fire’s growth. […]

All fires currently burning on the Santa Fe National Forest are under a full suppression, direct extinguishment strategy. Santa Fe, NM, June 17, 2026 —Multiple fires on the Santa Fe National Forest were detected after a thunderstorm moved through Northern New Mexico on June 15, 2026. The Pelada Fire located in the Pecos-Las Vegas Ranger District […]

Containment Increases on Bear Fire  Acres: 7,769 acres Start Date: June 9, 2026  Location: 18 miles southeast of Quemado, NM Personnel: 495 Containment: 61% Cause: Lightning  Summary: Around-the-clock suppression actions led to a significant jump in containment on the Bear Fire, which did not grow in acreage today. Firefighter’s efforts ensured containment lines held when higher temperatures and drier air moved in.  Firefighters continue working to extinguish hotspots along the fire perimeter, reducing the potential for […]

Multiple resources on scene Santa Fe, NM, June 16, 2026 —The Pelada Fire on the Pecos-Las Vegas Ranger District was detected the evening of Tuesday, June 16, 2026. The fire is located six miles southeast of Santa Fe on Forest Road 79, and three miles north of Canada Los Alamos. The fire is currently four to […]

Firefighters respond Santa Fe, NM, June 16, 2026 —A thunderstorm rolled through Northern New Mexico yesterday June 15, 2026, starting multiple small fires across the Santa Fe National Forest. The Oso Fire located on the Espanola Ranger District along the Rio Del Oso approximately two miles northeast of Chicoma Mountain, is currently one tenth of an […]

Firefighters prepare for incoming warm weather by securing and strengthening lines   Acres: 7,769 Start Date: June 9, 2026  Location: 18 miles southeast of Quemado, NM Personnel: 495 Containment: 35% Cause: Lightning  Summary: Yesterday, firefighters increased containment along the perimeter of the fire.    Protection around values at risk has increased as crews completed preparation around the Mangas Fire Lookout. Firefighters also worked on improving roads for crew’s access and safety by removing snags and other hazards. There is a potential for unburned pockets of fuel to burn […]

Multiple small lightning fires confirmed Santa Fe, NM, June 15, 2026 —A thunderstorm crossed Northern New Mexico today producing significant precipitation and lightning. Two small lightning fires have been confirmed. The Gallina Fire located on the Cuba Ranger District was reported at one tenth of an acre, burning in oak brush. Fire is located in Regina, […]

Effective on June 18, 2026 Reducing the Risk of Human-Caused Wildfires Albuquerque, NM – June 15, 2026 –The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands will implement Stage II Fire Restrictions on the Mt. Taylor Ranger District beginning Thursday June 18 at 8:00 a.m. due to increased fire danger. The purpose of this Order is to […]

Firefighters Make Progress on the Bear Fire  Acres: 6,920.4 Start Date: June 9, 2026  Location: 18 miles southeast of Quemado, NM Personnel: 496 Containment: 11% Cause: Lightning  Summary: Firefighters increased containment on the Bear Fire yesterday. Fair weather contributed to their progress toward full suppression.  Crews used a variety of tools and tactics to minimize the footprint of the Bear Fire and protect values at risk yesterday. Firefighters constructed handline to protect private land on the fire’s eastern flank. They also employed heavy equipment to bolster protection for Mangas Mountain […]

Moderated Weather Conditions Help Firefighters on Bear Fire  Acres: 6,654 Start Date: June 9, 2026  Location: 18 miles southeast of Quemado, NM Personnel: 471 Containment: 3% Cause: Lightning  Summary: Favorable weather conditions and hard work by firefighters increased containment to 3% on the Bear Fire with more containment expected today. Work continues to protect values at risk and stop fire progression.  Despite moderated weather conditions the fire behavior remained active on Saturday.  The Bear Fire spread to the southwest yesterday, moving through heavy dead and […]

Slower Fire Growth Aids Firefighters in Making Progress on Bear Fire  Acres: 6,042.6Start Date: June 9, 2026 Location: 18 miles southeast of Quemado, NM Personnel: 352 Containment: 0% Cause: Lightning  Summary: Favorable weather conditions on Friday slowed growth of the Bear Fire on the Gila National Forest. The fire is in an extreme drought-stricken area, where heavy fuel loading, recent tree mortality and steep terrain continue to challenge firefighter safety […]

Critical Fire Weather Increases Growth of Lightning-Caused Bear Fire  Acres: ~3,717Start Date: June 9, 2026   Location: 18 miles southeast of Quemado, NM Personnel: 227 Containment: 0% Cause: Lightning  Summary: Firefighters are working to suppress the Bear Fire on the Gila National Forest, which is estimated at 2,000 acres. The Bear Fire is a full suppression incident utilizing a mix of direct and indirect tactics to contain the fire.  Yesterday, dry weather and wind drove the fire through steep terrain with heavy fuel loads. Growth was predominantly on the east-southeast side […]

Bear Fire Now Under Command of Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Management Team Acres: ~150Start Date: June 9, 2026Location: 18 miles southeast of Quemado, NMPersonnel: 132 Containment: 0% Cause: Under investigation Summary: Firefighters continued direct extinguishment strategy on the Bear Fire in Catron County Wednesday and overnight. Air resources joined handcrews and engine crews in […]

Santa Fe, NM, June 9, 2026 — Firefighters on the Espanola Ranger District responded to a small fire in the Back Canyon Campground. The fire was smoldering underneath ponderosa pine and Douglas fir canopy in the adjacent grass. A recreational vehicle was burned in the fire. Fire was contained at the end of the day on […]

Daily Update: June 9, 2026 Acres: 31860                                                                                     Start Date: May 14, 2026 Location: Capitan Mountain Wilderness                                          Cause: Human caused Personnel: 327 personnel                                                                 Containment: 94%     Fuels: Heavy dead fuels in the Peppin burn scar contained                                                                                                    Highlights: The hard work and dedication of firefighters have brought containment on the 104 mile perimeter of the Seven Cabins […]

Firefighters respond to Hausner Wildfire – Zuni Mountains Albuquerque, NM – June 8, 2026 — Fire resources are responding to suppress the Hausner Wildfire within Zuni Mountains on the Mt Taylor Ranger District. Reported start date / time: June 8, 2026 / 1700 Cause: Lightning.  Size: Estimate 2 acres. Location: In the area of Hausner […]

Daily Update: June 8, 2026 Acres: 31860                                                                               Start Date: May 14, 2026 Location: Capitan Mountain Wilderness                                    Cause: Human caused Personnel: 385 personnel                                                                                                         Fuels: Heavy dead fuels in the Peppin Burn Scar Containment: 90% contained                                                                                                      Highlights: Following the successful burnout operation last week that brought the fire edge to favorable ground, Sunday’s hot, dry and windy weather […]