Seven Cabins Fire Daily Update: May 24, 2026

Cohesive ground and air efforts result in a significant containment increase

Daily Update: May 24, 2026

Acres: 25,186 acres                                                                                                                    Start Date: May 14, 2026

Location: Capitan Mountain Wilderness                                                                                  Cause: Human caused

Personnel: 916 personnel                                                                                                          Fuels: Heavy dead fuels in the Peppin burn scar

Containment: 43% Contained                                                                                                              

Resources:   40 crews | 40 engines | 8 helicopters | 44 Water Tenders | 11 dozers

Highlights: Crews have made substantial progress towards containment, using a combination of ground ignitions, aerial operations, and both direct and indirect suppression tactics. Taking advantage of opportunities as they make themselves available has resulted in a significant increase in containment.

Operations: Yesterday, crews made significant progress containing the fire on the east side. The north side of the fire is holding, and crews are continuing mop-up operations to extinguish remaining hot spots to ensure the fire remains in established control lines. Aerial ignitions continued along the south face of the mountain to reduce fire intensity. This allows for a systematic approach to bring fire towards control lines. Use of multiple aircraft is anticipated today. Along the west side of the fire, crews continue to place check lines to the east of the Lone Tree Bible Ranch to prepare for ground ignitions. Check lines are fire lines constructed in addition to the control line to temporarily hold fire growth. With the increase in containment on the north side of the fire, some of those resources will be shifting to the south side.

Weather: A quarter inch of rain fell on the east side of the fire, providing much needed moisture. Light winds from the south will continue to push the fire in a terrain-driven movement, which is likely to increase the potential for very active fire behavior. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms are expected again today.

Smoke: Smoke is still visible along the south side of the mountain, where smoldering fuels continue to produce fire activity. For air quality information, please check local conditions at Fire.Airnow.gov.

Closures and Warnings: A forest closure remains in place, encompassing the Capitan Mountain area, from Highway 246 around the Forest Service boundary and south to the South Base Trail System. Baca campground is included in the closure. Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in effect. There is a temporary flight restriction (TFR) in place over the fire to ensure safe access for firefighting aircraft. If you fly, we can’t. If a drone enters the airspace, all firefighting aircraft must 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: Evacuation statuses are evaluated daily. Currently, 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: Aircraft are expected to be in the skies today, emphasizing even more the importance of abiding by the TFR that is in place over the fire. With an increase in weekend activity and movement of crews along the fire, maintaining awareness of shifting weather conditions, area closures, and safe driving is essential for firefighter and public safety.