Seven Cabins Fire Daily Update: May 26, 2026

Rain provided much needed relief for the Seven Cabins Fire

Daily Update: May 26, 2026

Acres: 28,750                                                                                                              

Start Date: May 14, 2026

Location: Capitan Mountain Wilderness                                                                  

Cause: Human caused

Personnel: 1073 personnel                                                                                        

Fuels: Heavy dead fuels in the Peppin burn scar

Containment: 46% Contained                                                                                                

Resources:   41 crews | 49 engines | 7 helicopters | 54 Water Tenders | 11 dozers

Highlights: Due to containment on the north side of the fire, Highway 246 is open and some evacuations have been changed.

Operations: Yesterday, with increased containment in the northern area of the fire, crews began breaking down the water-handling infrastructure and preparing it for backhaul to the Incident Command Post. An Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) was used to confirm no heat was outside our control lines in the Capitan Gap area. Today, firefighters will continue evaluating areas for back-hauling excess supplies and begin conducting suppression repair efforts. These repair efforts include removing excess cut materials, repairing roads, and fixing fences damaged during suppression efforts. Structure prep, along with improving containment lines and check lines around will continue along South Base Road and north of Salazar Canyon Road in preparation for offensive firing ignitions as weather allows.

Weather: Rain and thunderstorms moved across the fire area yesterday, bringing light rain and lightning. Afternoon thunderstorms are forecasted again today, followed by warmer and drier conditions over the next several days.

Smoke: “Even though we experienced rain across the fire area yesterday, large dead fuels and stump holes are still holding heat and will continue to smolder” advised Stewart Turner, Fire Behavior Analyst. For air quality information, please check local conditions at Fire.AirNow.gov.

Closures and Warnings: As of 8:00 am today, Highway 246 is open to traffic. A forest closure is still in place, encompassing the Capitan Mountain area, south of Highway 246, around the Forest Service boundary and continuing south to the South Base Trail system. Baca campground is included in the closure. Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in effect. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is  in place over the fire to ensure safe access for firefighting aircraft. If a drone enters the airspace, all firefighting aircraft must be grounded to ensure safety. Remember “ If You Fly, We Can’t.”

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. There is a SET status including the Fort Lone Tree area and South Base Rd. east of Capitan Gap Road. The GO status evacuation has been reduced to SET 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 remain vigilant, monitor changing conditions, and be prepared to leave if necessary. The SET status evacuation north of Highway 246 between mile marker 13 and Boy Scout Mountain is no longer in effect. For more information or to sign up for alerts, visit (https://www.lincolncountynm.gov/services/fire___emergency_services/index.php).

Safety: Fire crews continue working along Highway 246. For your safety and the safety of our firefighters, please drive carefully and remain alert when traveling through the area.