Whiskey Fire Update – September 16, 2026

Reported: August 21, 2026

Cause: Lightning                                         Location: 15 Miles NW of Mountainair, NM

Size: 542 acres                                             Fuels: Mixed conifer

Containment: 48%                                      Fire Behavior: Moderate

Operations: Yesterday, the crews focused on mop-up procedures, suppression repair, and improving contingency lines and indirect lines. They also gained further containment on the fire line and continued to put direct line around a spot fire on the northeast edge of the main fire. Firefighter and public safety remain the top priorities. Crews continue full suppression efforts, reinforcing control lines, preparing contingency lines, and using aviation resources when conditions allow to support perimeter security. The increase in reported acreage is primarily due to more accurate fire mapping and does not necessarily indicate increased active fire growth.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the priority. In order to facilitate safe and efficient suppression efforts, the public is asked to avoid the fire areas and adjoining trails. 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!

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.

Closure: 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: The weather for today will be mostly cloudy in the morning hours, followed by rain showers and thunderstorms later in the afternoon. Those thunderstorms will drift from the southwest to the northeast at 10 to 15 mph. The chance of rain showers is 90%; winds for the day will range from 3 to 10 mph throughout the entire day and into the evening hours. 

If any concerns or questions, please reach out to:

(505) 230-5424

2026.whiskey@firenet.gov

Office operating hours:

Public Information 8am – 8pm