The Seven Cabin Fire located on the Smokey Bear Ranger District

Forest Service Photo: Seven Cabins Fire in the Capitan Mountains Wilderness Area.

(Alamogordo, NM, May 14, 2026) – Lincoln National Forest crews are actively engaged in suppression efforts on a wildfire located in the Capitan Mountains Wilderness area.

Seven Cabins Fire 

• Start Date/ Time: 4:12 a.m. on Thursday, May 14 
• Location: North of Capitan, Capitan Mountain Wilderness. 
• Acres: 35 estimated. 
• Containment: 0% contained.      
• Fuels: Dead and down within the Peppin Fire scar from 2024. Mostly large down dead logs. 
• Cause: Under investigation. 
• Ownership: Federal Lincoln National Forest
• Structure Threat: Communication site.  
• Resources: 4 Single Engine Air Tankers, 1 Type 3 Helicopter, Air Attack, Sacramento Interagency Hot Shots, two type six engines. 
• Evacuations / Closures: None at this time.
• Public Safety: The public should take caution and avoid the area so that first responders may work unimpeded.
• Weather: A Red Flag Warning is currently in effect. Currently 65 degrees F, 24% RH, west winds at 15 mph with gusts up to 32 mph.

Update: The Seven Cabins Fire was discovered at 4:12 a.m. on Thursday 14, 2026, north of Capitan in the Capitan Mountain Wilderness area. Values at risk include a communications site and smoke is visible in the surrounding area. The fire is burning in large dead down within the Peppin Fire scar from 2024. 

Multiple air resources along with a hotshot crew and two engines are actively engaged in a direct extinguishment strategy where firefighters engage the active flame front directly to stop fire spread. As conditions persist, Forest Service crews have focused their efforts on building containment line around the fire perimeter.

Updates will be provided on the LNF website, NM Fire Information, Inciweb, and our social media page.