August 28th Update on Whiskey/Blanco/Cerro Wildfires

August 28th Update on
Whiskey/Blanco/Cerro Wildfires

Manzano Mountains - Mountainair Ranger District 

Mountainair, NM – August 28, 2026 — More resources have arrived and are actively engaged on suppression efforts for three wildfires burning within the Manzano Mountains of the Mountainair Ranger District. This will be the final update for the Blanco and Cerro Fires unless changing conditions warrant additional information.

Mountainair Ranger District- Manzano Mountain Wilderness: Whiskey Fire (Update)

Reported Date / Time: August 21, 2026 / 1350. Reported by Capilla Peak Lookout.                           

Cause: Lightning.  Size: 181 acres     Containment:0%      Personnel: 133

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: High.

Operations: Fire crews are scouting both the east and west sides of the drainage where the Whiskey Fire is burning, preparing potential control lines, identifying hazards, and evaluating safe and effective opportunities for engagement. Additional hand crews are enroute to strengthen suppression efforts, and a dozer unit is being deployed to the west side of the Manzano Mountains to support line construction and improve access. The fire grew overnight and throughout the day on the west side of the Manzano Mountains and stayed within the wilderness boundary.

Smoke may be visible from Mountainair, Manzano, Torreon, Los Lunas, Belen, Meadow Lake, Las Maravillas, Valencia, and Cerro Mission.

Mountainair Ranger District- Manzano Mountains - Blanco Fire (Update)

Reported Date / Time: August 24, 2026 / 1540. Reported by Capilla Peak Lookout.                           

Cause: Undetermined.  Size: 21 acres.      Containment: 30%

Location: Manzano Mountains southwest of Fourth of July Canyon - Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.

Strategy: Direct extinguishment.

Fuels: Timber and mixed conifer.             Fire Behavior: Low.

Operation: Firefighters completed hardening handlines around the entire fire and are being moved to Whiskey Fire. Firefighters will continue to assess fire activity and conditions.

Smoke: Smoke activity has lessened significantly with a low potential of being seen at great distance.

Mountainair Ranger District- Manzano Mountain Wilderness - Cerro Fire (Update)

Reported Date / Time: August 24, 2026 / 1302. Reported by Capilla Peak Lookout.                           

Cause: Lightning.              Size: 7 acres.                 Containment: 30%

Location: Manzano Mountain Wilderness west of Fourth of July Canyon - Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.

Strategy: Direct extinguishment.

Fuels: Timber and mixed conifer.             Fire Behavior: Low.

Operation: Firefighters completed hardening handlines around the entire fire and are being moved to Whiskey Fire. Firefighters will continue to assess fire activity and conditions.

Smoke: Smoke activity has lessened significantly with a low potential of being seen at great distance.

Area, Road and Trail Closure Order in effect for National Forest System (NFS) lands surrounding the Whiskey Fire (03-03-04-26-18) and Cerro & Blanco Fire (03-03-04-26-19). Road closure barricades are on Trigo Springs Road.  Review the closure orders here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/alerts.

Additional updates will be sent as new information is received. 

Weather for Mountainair, NM (August 28, 2026) Hot and dry conditions are expected around Mountainair today, with highs near 90°F, minimum RH around 22%, and southwest winds 8–10 mph with gusts to 17 mph. Limited thunderstorms may produce gusty, erratic outflow winds and sudden changes in fire behavior. Overnight RH recovery is expected near 60–65%

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: Today there was a violation of the temporary flight restriction around the operations area of the Whiskey Fire. Privately owned fixed winged 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.