September 9, 2026 
Manzano Mountain Wilderness – Mountainair Ranger District
Albuquerque, NM – September 9, 2026 — Resources are actively engaged on suppression efforts for the Whiskey Fire within the Manzano Mountain Wilderness 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.
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!
Reported Date / Time: August 21, 2026 / 1350. Reported by Capilla Peak Lookout.
Cause: Lightning. Size: 432 acres Containment: 42%
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: 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. Fire behavior moderated earlier in the week upon receipt of precipitation on much of the fire; however yesterday more active behavior was seen on the northeast side of the fire. Critically dry fuels, poor humidity recovery and steep terrain will continue to support active fire behavior and growth within the Manzano Mountain Wilderness. Fire managers continue strategic operations which incorporate the realities of the landscape and conditions for full suppression.
Smoke may be visible from Belen, Bosque Farms, El Cerro Mission, Las Maravillas, Los Lunas, Meadow Lake, Valencia, Peralta, Rio Communities, Mountainair, Torreon and Manzano.
Area, Road and Trail Closure Order in effect for National Forest System (NFS) lands surrounding the Whiskey Fire (03-03-04-26-21). Review the closure orders here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/alerts.
Weather forecast for Mountainair, NM (September 9, 2026) Today: Scattered showers and thunderstorms after noon. Increasing clouds, with a high near 88. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Thursday (Sept. 10) Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Light west wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. https://www.weather.gov/
NM Fire Info 
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