Whiskey Fire Update – September 19, 2026

Reported: August 21, 202
Cause: Lightning Location: 15 Miles NW of Mountainair, NM
Size: 542 acres Fuels: Mixed conifer
Containment: 52% Fire Behavior: Minimal

Operations: Yesterday, crews conducted suppression repair, chipping, and restoration work on trails, roads, and other areas impacted by fire operations. The type 3 Incident Management Team will transfer command of the incident to a Type 4 organization at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2026, as the incident transitions to local management. Firefighter and public safety remain the top priorities as crews continue full suppression efforts using direct and indirect tactics while minimizing risk and impacts to communities. The fire remains in rugged, remote terrain with limited water sources and difficult access. UAS are being used to monitor the fire perimeter, and suppression repair work continues across all divisions

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: Today will be mostly sunny, with possible scattered showers throughout the afternoon and into the evening, followed by thunderstorms. The chance of precipitation is 30%- 40% throughout the day; there will be winds of 3 to 10 mph, with gusty and erratic winds expected during the thunderstorms in the afternoon.

If any concerns or questions, please reach out to:
(505) 230-5424
2026.whiskey@firenet.gov
Office operating hours:
Public Information 8am – 8pm