Seven Cabins Fire Daily Update: May 21, 2026

Firefighters on the Seven Cabins Fire continue to utilize aerial and ground operations. 

Daily Update: May 21^st, 2026 

Acres: 16,703  acres

Start Date: May 14, 2026 

Location: Capitan Mountain Wilderness     

Cause: Human caused 

Personnel: 834 personnel               

Fuels: Heavy dead fuels in the Peppin Burn Scar

Containment: 6% Contained

Resources:   34 crews | 39 engines | 8 helicopters | 31 Water Tenders | 7 dozers 

Highlights: Additional resources, such as heavy equipment and crews, continue to arrive to enhance control lines and maintain structure protection.  

Operations: With the slight relief in the weather, firefighters and aircraft began offensive firing operations. These ignitions are designed to remove fuels to limit fire behavior. They complement the indirect containment lines built around the fire, making them more defensible. These ignition operations will continue today as crews carry fire to the west along the Base Road. The containment percentage has decreased as the fire has grown. As the fire spreads into new areas, the contained area represents a smaller percentage of the overall fire perimeter. All indirect and direct containment lines are currently holding. All hand preparation lines are complete and mechanized containment lines continue to be strengthened using chipping and mastication. All these combined suppression efforts continue to contribute to protecting the identified values at risk. 

Weather: Skies will be cloudy this morning and will begin to dissipate throughout the day. Fine dead fuels continue absorbing moisture during the morning, but dry rapidly under the afternoon sun. The winds will shift from the south to the southwest. The shift in wind direction will help the fire push back on itself and slow its spread.   

Smoke: The smoke plume may be covered for parts of the day as clouds begin to form. Arabela and communities southeast of the incident should expect to still be able to see the plume during cloud breaks. For air quality information, please check local conditions at AirNow.gov. 

Closures and Warnings: An updated forest closure area took place yesterday which includes the Capitan Mountain area, from Highway 246 around the Forest Service boundary and south to the South Base Trail System. The forest closure order in place closes all roads, trails, and access to the Capitan Mountains wilderness area and surrounding areas. Baca campground is included in the closure. Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in effect. There is a temporary flight restriction (TFR) in place around the fire to ensure safe access for firefighting aircraft. If you fly, we can’t. If a drone enters the airspace, all firefighting aircraft have to be grounded to ensure safety. 

Forest Closure Order: (https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/lincoln/alerts/order-03-08-01-26-001-seven-cabins-fire-closure)  

Fire Restrictions: (https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/lincoln/alerts/order-03-08-26-001-stage-1-fire-restrictions) 

Evacuations: GO status evacuations are currently in effect from State Highway 246 to the ridge top of the Capitan Mountains, between mile marker 13 and Boy Scout Mountain. Residents in this area should leave the area to ensure their safety. There is a SET status evacuation north of Highway 246 between mile marker 13 and Boy Scout Mountain, for more information or to sign up for alerts, visit (https://www.lincolncountynm.gov/services/fire___emergency_services/index.php). 

Safety: As roads become busier with Memorial Day traffic, take this time to think about driving safety. Fire apparatus and crews will continue to work around the roads. Remain highly alert, always wear a seatbelt, and never drive distracted or impaired.