Big Rosa Fire Contained
on Magdalena Ranger District

Withington Wilderness – San Mateo Mountains  

(Albuquerque, NM – June 18, 2026) — Yesterday firefighters responded to an aviation detected wildfire in eastern Withington Wilderness within the San Mateo Mountains. Ground crews located 2 lightning-struck trees. Firefighters actively engaged the fire to stop fire spread using direct extinguishment strategy. Crews remained on scene through the night and will continue to monitor conditions today.

Reported start date / Time: June 17, 2026 / 1252

Cause: Lightning.

Size: Estimate 1/10 acre.

Containment: 100%

Location: Remote mountainous terrain of eastern Withington Wilderness within San Mateo Mountains on the Magdalena Ranger District – New Mexico on the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands.

Responding Resources: US Forest Service Magdalena Ranger District Engine 631 and Bitterroot National Forest Engine 631.

Fuels: Timber and grass.

Weather for Magdalena NM: Today: A slight chance of sprinkles after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 25 mph becoming north 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Tonight: slight chance of sprinkles before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.https://www.weather.gov/

This will be the only release on the Big Rosa Fire unless conditions or the situation warrants additional information.

Any further fire information will also be posted on the  Cibola NF & NGs website, New Mexico Fire Information website, and the Cibola NF & NGs Facebook  & X pages.

 

About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has, for more than 100 years, brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.