Forest Service News Release

Media Contact: Kaleb Hoeft | kaleb_hoeft@firenet.gov | Cell: 505-54609429

September 3^rd Update on
Whiskey Fire-Mountainair, NM

Mountainair, NM – September 03, 2026 – A brief increase in fire activity occurred within the interior of the Whiskey Fire early this afternoon as flames moved through a stand of trees, producing a visible column of smoke. The activity was short-lived and quickly subsided, with the fire returning to predominantly low-intensity, smoldering conditions.

Reported Date / Time: August 21, 2026 / 1350. Reported by Capilla Peak Lookout. 

Cause: Lightning.    Size: 393 acres     Containment: 19%   Personnel: 98

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.

Fuels: Mixed conifer.       Fire Behavior: Low

Operations: Crews continue preparing Forest Road 245 as a contingency feature should fire activity increase. On the west side, firefighters are completing cleanup and rehabilitation along trails previously prepared as contingency lines, while ensuring those lines remain secure and available if needed. Grader operations on Trigo Springs Road have been completed, restoring access following damage from recent rainfall, and the grader crew is scheduled to demobilize tomorrow.

Smoke may be visible from Belen, El Cerro Mission, Las Maravillas, Los Lunas, Meadow Lake, Rio Communities, and Tomé.

Area, Road and Trail Closure Order in effect for National Forest System (NFS) lands surrounding the Whiskey Fire (03-03-04-26-18). Road closure barricades are on Trigo Springs Road for road improvement operations.  Review the closure orders here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/alerts.

Weather for Mountainair, NM (September 3, 2026) Warm and relatively dry conditions are expected around Mountainair with a high near 87°F and minimum RH around 24%. Southwest winds will generally be 5–10 mph. Isolated afternoon and evening thunderstorms may produce erratic outflow winds, lightning, and localized heavy rainfall, with stronger cells capable of wind gusts approaching 45 mph. Crews should remain alert for rapid wind shifts and sudden changes in fire behavior near thunderstorms.

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.

Notice: Privately owned aircraft and 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!”

About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.

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