New Fire Start on Mount Taylor Ranger District

Four Mile Fire in Zuni Mountains

Albuquerque, NM – August 10, 2026 — Fire resources are actively engaged in suppression efforts on the Four Mile Fire on the Mount Taylor Ranger District within the Cibola National Forest.

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!”

Mount Taylor Ranger District- Zuni Mountains: Four Mile Fire

Reported Date / Time: August 9, 2026 / 1528           Cause: Undetermined.         Size: 6 acres.

Location: Northwest Zuni Mountains, south of Jamestown and I-40, southeast of Fort Wingate, and north of McGaffey on the Mount Taylor Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.

Responding Resources: U.S. Forest Service (USFS), McKinley County Fire, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and aerial support.

Strategy: Direct extinguishment.

Fuels: Piñon-juniper and grass.

Fire Behavior: Active fire is spotting and wind-driven, moving southeast through grass and piñon-juniper fuels.

Operations: Ground crews on scene are securing anchor points and establishing control lines. Aerial resources are conducting targeted water drops.

Values at risk: Currently, the Four Mile Fire is not a threat to any communities, and there are no evacuations in effect.

Smoke: Smoke may be visible south of I-40, Jamestown, Thoreau, west of Bluewater and surrounding areas of northwest Zuni Mountains. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

Weather forecast for Grants, NM (August 10, 2026): Scattered rain before 3pm, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. North wind around 5 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then scattered rain between midnight and 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. West wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Tuesday (August 11, 2026): Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. North wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%. https://www.weather.gov/

Additional updates will be sent as new information is received.