Update on Mountainair Ranger District Wildfires

August 25, 2026 by cibolanfng 0 Comments

Blanco Fire/Cerro Fire/Whiskey Fire within Manzano Mountains

Albuquerque, NM – August 25, 2026 — Resources are actively engaged on three wildfires burning within the Manzano Mountains of the Mountainair Ranger District.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. In order to facilitate safe and efficient suppression efforts the public is asked to avoid the fire areas and adjoining trails.

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 – Blanco Fire
Reported Date / Time: August 24, 2026 / 1540. Reported by Capilla Peak Lookout.
Cause: Undetermined.                        Size: est. 17 acres.
Location: Manzano Mountains southwest of Fourth of July Canyon – Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.
Resources: U.S. Forest Service (USFS), New Mexico Forestry Division (NMFD) and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and aerial support.
Strategy: Direct extinguishment.
Fuels: Timber and mixed conifer.          Fire Behavior: Active.
Operation: Initial ground response has been aided by multiple aerial retardant drops to allow ground resources today to make good progress on establishing fireline around the perimeter. Aircraft will continue to support ground resources as needed.
Values at risk: Fourth of July Campground & recreation area and Inlow Youth Camp.
Smoke may be visible from Chilili, Tajique, Torreon, Manzano, Punta de Agua, Manzano and the Estancia Valley.

Mountainair Ranger District- Manzano Mountain Wilderness – Cerro Fire
Reported Date / Time: August 24, 2026 / 1302. Reported by Capilla Peak Lookout.
Cause: Lightning.                                Size: est. 7 acres.
Location: Manzano Mountain Wilderness west of Fourth of July Canyon – Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.
Resources: U.S. Forest Service (USFS), New Mexico Forestry Division (NMFD) and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and aerial support.
Strategy: Direct extinguishment.
Fuels: Timber and mixed conifer.          Fire Behavior: Moderate.
Operation: Initial ground response has been aided by multiple aerial retardant drops to allow ground resources today to make good progress on establishing fireline around the perimeter. Aircraft will continue to support ground resources as needed.
Values at risk: Fourth of July Campground & recreation area and Inlow Youth Camp.
Smoke may be visible from Chilili, Tajique, Torreon, Manzano, Punta de Agua, Manzano and the Estancia Valley.

Mountainair Ranger District- Manzano Mountain Wilderness: Whiskey Fire
Reported Date / Time: August 21, 2026 / 1350. Reported by Capilla Peak Lookout.
Cause: Lightning.                                Size: 22 acres
Location: Steep terrain north of Osha Peak, south of Capilla Peak and west of the Manzano Crest Trail in the Manzano Mountain Wilderness within the Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.
Resources: U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and aerial support.
Fuels: Mixed conifer.     Fire Behavior: Moderate.
Operations: This fire is burning mixed conifer vegetation in a location of inaccessible steep terrain where it is difficult to safely insert firefighters for direct extinguishment. With a lack of natural barriers, steep terrain, and dry fuels, the Whiskey Fire has grown to 22 acres in the Manzano Mountain Wilderness. Fire managers are planning and crews will be executing a strategic plan which incorporates the realities of the landscape and conditions.
Smoke may be visible from westside of Manzano Mountains, Mountainair, Manzano, Punta de Agua and Torreon.

Additional updates will be sent as new information is received.

Weather forecast for Mountainair, NM (August 25, 2026) Today: Sunny, with a high near 93. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east after midnight. Wednesday (August 26, 2026) A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon.. https://www.weather.gov/