Update on Mountainair Ranger District Wildfires

Whiskey/Blanco/Cerro Wildfires within Manzano Mountains

Area, Road and Trail Closure Orders in Effect

Albuquerque, NM – August 26, 2026 — The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands has issued area, road and trail closure orders within National Forest System (NFS) lands surrounding the Whiskey, Blanco and Cerro Wildfires to protect public health and safety from wildfire hazards and provide for firefighter and contractor safety during wildfire suppression and recovery.

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 Mountain Wilderness: Whiskey Fire (Update)
Reported Date / Time: August 21, 2026 / 1350. Reported by Capilla Peak Lookout.          
Cause: Lightning.                                Size: est. 50 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: The Whiskey fire continues to burn in 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 is expected to continue to grow in the Manzano Mountain Wilderness. Fire managers are building an organization and strategic plan which incorporates the realities of the landscape and conditions for full suppression.
Smoke may be visible from westside of Manzano Mountains, Mountainair, Manzano, Punta de Agua and Torreon.

Area, Road and Trail Closure Order Issued for National Forest System (NFS) lands surrounding the Whiskey Fire. See map attached. This Closure Order (03-03-04-26-18) shall be in effect from August 26, 2026, at 8:00 a.m., through September 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., unless rescinded. The official order and map can be viewed at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/alerts.

Mountainair Ranger District- Manzano Mountains – Blanco Fire (Update)
Reported Date / Time: August 24, 2026 / 1540. Reported by Capilla Peak Lookout.          
Cause: Undetermined.                        Size: est. 21 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 aerial support.
Strategy: Direct extinguishment.
Fuels: Timber and mixed conifer.          Fire Behavior: Moderate.
Operation: Multiple aerial retardant drops continued yesterday to allow ground resources the ability to continue their work to keep the fire within its current footprint. 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 (Update)
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).
Strategy: Direct extinguishment.
Fuels: Timber and mixed conifer.          Fire Behavior: Low.
Operation: Firefighters completed handlines around the entire fire. Firefighters continue to secure the lines and mop-up interior using hand tools to turn over soil and smother embers to cool hot spots and prevent reignition.
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.

Area, Road and Trail Closure Order Issued for National Forest System (NFS) lands surrounding the Cerro & Blanco Fire. See map attached. This Closure Order (03-03-04-26-19) shall be in effect from August 26, 2026, at 8:00 a.m., through September 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., unless rescinded. The official order and map can be viewed at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/alerts.

Additional updates will be sent as new information is received. 

Weather forecast for Mountainair, NM (August 26, 2026) Today: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Tonight: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Thursday (August 27) Isolated showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%. https://www.weather.gov/