08/27/2026
August 27, 2026 Update on
Wh***ey/Blanco/Cerro Wildfires
Mountainair Ranger District - Cibola National Forest
Mountainair, New Mexico
Resources are actively engaged on suppression efforts for three wildfires burning within the Manzano Mountains of the Mountainair Ranger District.
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.
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 Mountain Wilderness: Wh***ey Fire (Update)
Reported Date / Time: August 21, 2026 / 1350.
Reported by Capilla Peak Lookout.
Cause: Lightning.
Size: 60 acres
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.
Resources: U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and aerial support.
Fuels: Mixed conifer.
Fire Behavior: Moderate/High.
Operations: The Wh***ey fire continues to burn in mixed conifer vegetation in a location of inaccessible steep terrain where it is difficult to safely insert firefighters for direct extinguishment. With a lack of natural barriers, steep terrain, and dry fuels, the Wh***ey Fire is expected to continue to grow in the Manzano Mountain Wilderness. Fire managers are building an organization and strategic plan which incorporates the realities of the landscape and conditions for full suppression.
Smoke: may be visible from westside of Manzano Mountains, Mountainair, Manzano, Punta de Agua and Torreon.
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: 25%
Location: Manzano Mountains southwest of Fourth of July Canyon - Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.
Resources: U.S. Forest Service (USFS), New Mexico Forestry Division (NMFD) and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).
Strategy: Direct extinguishment.
Fuels: Timber and mixed conifer.
Fire Behavior: Low.
Operation: Firefighters completed handlines around the entire fire. Firefighters continue to secure the lines and mop-up interior using hand tools to turn over soil and smother embers to cool hot spots and prevent reignition.
Smoke may be visible from Chilili, Tajique, Torreon, Manzano, Punta de Agua, Manzano and the Estancia Valley.
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: 25%
Location: Manzano Mountain Wilderness west of Fourth of July Canyon - Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.
Resources: U.S. Forest Service (USFS), New Mexico Forestry Division (NMFD) and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).
Strategy: Direct extinguishment.
Fuels: Timber and mixed conifer.
Fire Behavior: Low.
Operation: Firefighters continue to secure the lines and mop-up interior using hand tools to turn over soil and smother embers to cool hot spots and prevent reignition.
Smoke may be visible from Chilili, Tajique, Torreon, Manzano, Punta de Agua, Manzano and the Estancia Valley.
Area, Road and Trail Closure Order in effect for National Forest System (NFS) lands surrounding the Wh***ey Fire (03-03-04-26-18) and Cerro & Blanco Fire (03-03-04-26-19) . The official orders and map can be viewed at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/alerts.
Additional updates will be sent as new information is received.
Weather forecast for Mountainair, NM (August 27, 2026) Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. South wind around 5 mph becoming north. Tonight: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Friday (August 28): Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Sunny, with a high near 92. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%. https://www.weather.gov/
