New Mexico Fire Crews Respond to Multiple Wildfires as Evacuations Ordered Near Jemez

Cover Photo Caption: Update June 22, 2026, 7:00 pm – Containment is now at 100%. Firefighters continue repair work and patrolling the fire perimeter, securing any remaining heat. Interior pockets of unburned fuel continue to consume, causing no threat to containment. Smoke may be visible in the surrounding area.

Firefighters across New Mexico responded to several active wildfires this week, including a growing fire near Battleship Rock in the Jemez Mountains that prompted evacuation orders Wednesday morning.

Sandoval County Fire Rescue reported that crews were assisting with a wildland fire in the Battleship Rock area, estimated at approximately 15 acres early Wednesday. The fire is being managed under unified command by the U.S. Forest Service and Sandoval County Fire Rescue’s La Cueva District, with assistance from additional agencies.

Residents in Sierra de los Pinos remained under a “Go” evacuation order Wednesday morning. Sandoval County Fire Rescue also advised residents in Vallecitos to evacuate immediately. A shelter was opened at Jemez Baptist Church off Highway 126 for displaced residents.

A related update from the Santa Fe National Forest identified the fire as the McCauley Springs Fire, located in the Jemez Ranger District. That update estimated the fire at approximately 30 acres and said the community of Sierra de los Pinos was under evacuation. Jemez Falls Campground was evacuated and closed, Battleship Campground was closed, and Trail No. 137 to Battleship Rock was closed for public safety. The fire, identified by the Santa Fe National Forest as the McCauley Springs Fire, was reported by Sandoval County Fire Rescue earlier Wednesday as burning near Battleship Rock.

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Highway 4 remained open, but officials urged drivers to use extreme caution because firefighting operations were ongoing in the area. Smoke from the fire was visible from Albuquerque, U.S. 550, Jemez Springs and nearby communities.

Fire officials said the McCauley Springs Fire is being fully suppressed and has a high potential for spread. The Santa Fe Interagency Hotshot Crew and additional hotshot crews were responding, and two Type 1 helicopters had been ordered.

In Torrance County, fire crews continued working on the Canyon Venado Fire south of Interstate 40 near Clines Corners. The fire was discovered Tuesday afternoon and had expanded from an initial estimate of about 20 acres Tuesday afternoon to approximately 852 acres by Wednesday.

Officials said air resources dropped retardant Tuesday while ground crews reinforced fire lines to protect values at risk. Fire behavior moderated overnight, and crews continued working Wednesday to protect structures, secure fire line and tie containment efforts into wind farm roads. Wind farms and structures remained threatened, though no evacuations were in place. Interstate 40 eastbound, which had previously been closed, had reopened.

Also in Torrance County, the Deer Canyon Fire south of Mountainair reached 50% containment after crews made progress with suppression work. Fire activity remained low, evacuations were lifted, and officials said the threat to structures had passed. The lightning-caused fire was estimated at 117 acres. It was discovered Saturday afternoon in the Deer Canyon subdivision and burned in grass and piñon-juniper fuels.

The Osita Draw Fire, another new start south of Interstate 40 near Clines Corners, was estimated at 10 acres and listed as 100% contained.

In the Gila Wilderness, fire officials continued monitoring the Sacaton Fire on the Glenwood Ranger District. The lightning-caused fire was detected Sunday afternoon by the Mogollon Baldy lookout and was burning in brush, timber, logs and snags in steep, rugged terrain within the 2012 Whitewater-Baldy Fire footprint.

Officials said the fire’s location presents extreme risk to firefighters because of steep slopes, dense brush, large logs and a lack of safety zones or escape routes. No private property or critical infrastructure was immediately threatened, and firefighters planned to use indirect tactics, relying on natural features and trails away from the fire perimeter.

By Wednesday afternoon, the Sacaton Fire was producing smoke visible along U.S. Route 180. The Gila National Forest advised residents to report new smoke to the Silver City Interagency Dispatch Center so firefighters can determine whether it is from the Sacaton Fire or a new start.

The Gila National Forest also reported that the Langstroth Fire, a 30-acre fire in the Gila Wilderness, is now controlled. The remaining firefighters were transported off the fire by helicopter Wednesday morning.

Nationally, wildfire activity remains elevated. According to national fire officials, 81 new fires were reported Tuesday, including three new large fires. Thirty-two large fires remained uncontained, with more than 6,200 personnel assigned across the country.

So far this year, more than 34,000 fires have burned nearly 2.8 million acres nationwide, exceeding the 10-year average for both fires and acres burned to date.