September 7, 2026 
Media Contact: Kaleb Hoeft | kaleb_hoeft@firenet.gov | 505-546-9429
Update on
Whiskey Fire-Mountainair, NM
Mountainair, NM – September 07, 2026 – The Whiskey Fire has reached a point where current fire conditions and completed suppression work allow the Type 3 Incident Management Team to return command of the incident to the Cibola National Forest. The Mountainair Ranger District will assume management of the fire under a Type 4 organization at 6:00 p.m. MDT on September 6, 2026, marking an important step toward returning the incident to local oversight.
Reported Date / Time: August 21, 2026 / 1350. Reported by Capilla Peak Lookout.
Cause: Lightning. Size: 393 acres Containment: 42% Personnel: 52
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 have completed construction of contingency lines and rehabilitation work on recreation sites, trails, and roads used during suppression operations. With this work complete, management of the Whiskey Fire will transition back to the Mountainair Ranger District under a Type 4 organization. District personnel will continue to assess conditions within the fire area as several heavy fuels continue to smolder within the interior of the established perimeter.
The Cibola National Forest extends its sincere appreciation to the Type 3 Incident Management Team and all cooperating resources and partners who supported suppression efforts on the Whiskey Fire. Their coordination, professionalism, and commitment to firefighter and public safety were instrumental throughout the incident.
Smoke has decreased to the point that it can no longer be seen from nearby communities.
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 6, 2026) Warm conditions are expected around Mountainair today, September 6, with highs near 86°F and minimum RH around 25%. Afternoon thunderstorms are possible along the central mountain chain, bringing the potential for cloud-to-ground lightning, gusty and erratic outflow winds, and localized heavy rainfall.
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.
###
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
NM Fire Info 
Comments are closed.