September 11th Update on Whiskey Fire

Manzano Mountain Wilderness – Mountainair Ranger District

Albuquerque, NM – September 11, 2026 — With hot and dry weather continuing into the weekend, resources remain actively engaged on suppression efforts on 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: Last Estimate 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: Hot and dry conditions have caused fire behavior to increase, pushing fire from the west side of the Manzano Mountain Wilderness over the top to the east side of the Manzanos. The fire has also moved north within the Manzano Mountain Wilderness into Jaramillo Canyon. On the west side of the Manzanos, the Whiskey Fire continues burning in inaccessible, steep terrain making it difficult to safely insert firefighters for direct suppression. With aerial support, crews are actively engaged in direct suppression efforts on the east side. 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 11, 2026) This Afternoon: Sunny, with a high near 80. West wind around 10 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 79. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. https://www.weather.gov/