Mountainair, NM – August 30, 2026 — A Type 1 helicopter supported firefighters throughout the day, concentrating water drops on the portion of the Whiskey Fire that crossed the ridgeline into New Canyon. Working in coordination with hand crews constructing and securing line, the helicopter targeted active sections of the perimeter, helping steer the fire back into previously burned areas and reducing available fuels for continued spread. The fire received a substantial amount of precipitation late Monday evening.
Reported Date / Time: August 21, 2026 / 1350. Reported by Capilla Peak Lookout.
Cause: Lightning. Size: 370 acres Containment: 0% Personnel: 13
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: Working in coordination with helicopter support, ground crews continued to secure and strengthen the perimeter on the east side of the ridge where the fire has moved into New Canyon. Crews tied constructed handline into the existing New Canyon Trail and a rock scree field, using these features as natural and existing barriers to fire spread. During the midafternoon, an increase in fire activity was observed in the Jaramillo and Whiskey Spring drainages. In response the helicopter conducted water drops on this section of the fire to check this increased activity.
On the west side of the ridgeline, crews near the Comanche Trailhead completed construction of contingency line, strengthening options for firefighters should fire activity increase in that area. Valencia County water tenders continued supplying water to the portable tanks supporting helicopter operations and assisted with securing the dip site. Grader operations also made significant progress improving Trigo Springs Road toward the trailhead, improving access for firefighting and emergency response.
Smoke may be visible from Belen, Bosque Farms, El Cerro Mission, Las Maravillas, Los Lunas, Manzano, Meadow Lake, Mountainair, Peralta, Rio Communities, Torreon, and Valencia.
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 .
Weather for Mountainair, NM (August 30, 2026) Hot and dry conditions are expected around Mountainair today, with highs near 90°F and minimum RH around 20–21%. Winds will generally be southerly around 8 mph, with thunderstorms in the region capable of producing gusty and erratic outflow winds, lightning, and locally heavy rainfall. Crews should remain alert for rapid wind shifts and associated changes in fire behavior.
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!"
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.
