Firefighters respond to lightning strikes-Magdalena, Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts

lbuquerque, NM – July 29, 2026 —Firefighters are actively responding to suppress several lightning-caused wildfires following scattered thunderstorms on Tuesday within the Magdalena, Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts of the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public should avoid the fire areas.

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!"

Mountainair Ranger District- Manzano Mountains: Thunderbird Fire
Reported Date / Time: July 28, 2026 / 2133
Cause: Lightning Size: 1/10 acre.
Location: Southeast Manzano Mountains within the Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.
Responded Resources: U.S. Forest Service –Cibola National Forest Engine 641 and Florida Engine 15.
Strategy: Direct extinguishment.
Operation: Forward progress has been stopped.
Residual smoke may be visible from Mountainair, Manzano, Punta de Agua and the surrounding areas of the east Manzano Mountains.

Mountainair Ranger District- Manzano Mountain: Capilla Powerline Fire
Reported Date / Time: July 28, 2026 / 1756
Cause: Lightning Size: 1/4 acre. Containment: 100%
Location: Southeast Manzano Mountains near Capilla Peak within the Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.
Responded Resources: U.S. Forest Service – Cibola National Forest Engine 642.
Residual Smoke may be visible from Manzano, Punta de Agua, Torreon, Estancia Valley and the surrounding areas of the east Manzano Mountains.

Mountainair Ranger District- Manzano Mountains: Kayser Mill Fire
Reported Date / Time: July 28, 2026 / 2116
Cause: Lightning Size: 1/10 acre.
Location: Southeast Manzano Mountains within the Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.
Responding Resources: U.S. Forest Service –Cibola National Forest Engine 641.
Strategy: Direct extinguishment.
Operation: Forward progress has been stopped.
Smoke may be visible from Mountainair, Manzano, Punta de Agua and the surrounding areas of the east Manzano Mountains.

Magdalena Ranger District –Magdalena Mountains: Monica Canyon Fire
Reported Date / Time: July 29, 2026 / 0853
Cause: Lightning. Size: 1/10 acre
Location: Northeast San Mateo Mountains on the Magdalena Ranger District – New Mexico on the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands.
Responding Resources: U.S. Forest Service Magdalena Ranger District 3-3.
Smoke may be visible from South of NM60, west of NM 107 and southwest of Magdalena, NM.

Sandia Ranger District: Otero Canyon Fire
Reported Date / Time: July 29, 2026 / 1003
Cause: Lightning. Size: 1/10 acre.
Location: South of Tijeras, west of NM 337 and near Otero Canyon within the Sandia Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.
Responding Resources: U.S. Forest Service – Cibola National Forest Engine 651 and Bernalillo County Engine.
Strategy: Direct extinguishment.
Operation: Forward progress has been stopped.

This will be the only release on these fires unless conditions or the situation warrants additional information.

Weather for Albuquerque, NM (July 29, 2026): Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Tonight: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Thursday (July 30): Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. https://www.weather.gov/

Fire Restrictions remain in effect on the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands as previously announced: www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/alerts
• Kiowa/Rita-Blanca Ranger District: Stage I Fire Restriction Order 03-03-07-26-08
• Mountainair & Sandia Ranger Districts: Stage I Fire Restriction Order 03-03-00-26-05

Photos Attached:
U.S. Forest Service Photo: Mountainair Ranger District Capilla Powerline Fire on July 28, 2026.
U.S. Forest Service Photo: Mountainair Ranger District Thunderbird Fire on July 29, 2026.


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.