July 29, 2026 
Albuquerque, NM – July 29, 2026 —Firefighters are actively responding to suppress several lightning-caused wildfires following scattered thunderstorms on Tuesday within the Magdalena, Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts of the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands.
Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public should avoid the fire areas.
Drones pose a serious risk to firefighting and can cause air operations to cease. The public is reminded that “If you fly, we can’t!”
Mountainair Ranger District- Manzano Mountains: Thunderbird Fire
Reported Date / Time: July 28, 2026 / 2133
Cause: Lightning Size: 1/10 acre.
Location: Southeast Manzano Mountains within the Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.
Responded Resources: U.S. Forest Service –Cibola National Forest Engine 641 and Florida Engine 15.
Strategy: Direct extinguishment.
Operation: Forward progress has been stopped.
Residual smoke may be visible from Mountainair, Manzano, Punta de Agua and the surrounding areas of the east Manzano Mountains.
Mountainair Ranger District- Manzano Mountain: Capilla Powerline Fire
Reported Date / Time: July 28, 2026 / 1756
Cause: Lightning Size: 1/4 acre. Containment: 100%
Location: Southeast Manzano Mountains near Capilla Peak within the Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.
Responded Resources: U.S. Forest Service – Cibola National Forest Engine 642.
Residual Smoke may be visible from Manzano, Punta de Agua, Torreon, Estancia Valley and the surrounding areas of the east Manzano Mountains.
Mountainair Ranger District- Manzano Mountains: Kayser Mill Fire
Reported Date / Time: July 28, 2026 / 2116
Cause: Lightning Size: 1/10 acre.
Location: Southeast Manzano Mountains within the Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.
Responding Resources: U.S. Forest Service –Cibola National Forest Engine 641.
Strategy: Direct extinguishment.
Operation: Forward progress has been stopped.
Smoke may be visible from Mountainair, Manzano, Punta de Agua and the surrounding areas of the east Manzano Mountains.
Magdalena Ranger District –Magdalena Mountains: Monica Canyon Fire
Reported Date / Time: July 29, 2026 / 0853
Cause: Lightning. Size: 1/10 acre
Location: Northeast San Mateo Mountains on the Magdalena Ranger District – New Mexico on the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands.
Responding Resources: U.S. Forest Service Magdalena Ranger District 3-3.
Smoke may be visible from South of NM60, west of NM 107 and southwest of Magdalena, NM.
Sandia Ranger District: Otero Canyon Fire
Reported Date / Time: July 29, 2026 / 1003
Cause: Lightning. Size: 1/10 acre.
Location: South of Tijeras, west of NM 337 and near Otero Canyon within the Sandia Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.
Responding Resources: U.S. Forest Service – Cibola National Forest Engine 651 and Bernalillo County Engine.
Strategy: Direct extinguishment.
Operation: Forward progress has been stopped.
This will be the only release on these fires unless conditions or the situation warrants additional information.
Weather for Albuquerque, NM (July 29, 2026): Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Thursday (July 30): Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. https://www.weather.gov/
Fire Restrictions remain in effect on the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands as previously announced: www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/alerts
- Kiowa/Rita-Blanca Ranger District: Stage I Fire Restriction Order 03-03-07-26-08
- Mountainair & Sandia Ranger Districts: Stage I Fire Restriction Order 03-03-00-26-05
NM Fire Info 
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