New Mexico
Gila National Forest: Sacaton Fire in Gila Wilderness Remains Active
(Glenwood, NM, June 29, 2026) — The very hot, dry, windy weather that affected much of the state, including all of the Gila National Forest, Saturday and Sunday, contributed to increased fire activity on the Sacaton Fire. During a reconnaissance flight Monday, the Glenwood Ranger District fire management officer observed a spot fire had become established about 0.5 miles northeast of the main fire. Combined, the main and spot fires are approximately 372 acres.
Fire behavior is being driven by weather, topography, and fuels. Where the fire is burning among numerous dead standing and down trees from the 2012 Whitewater-Baldy Fire, it is backing downslope or growing outward on its sides. Where the fire encounters pockets of vegetation not burned in 2012, it is making some uphill runs. The smoke being generated during periods of moderate fire behavior is widely visible: from the Gila Cliff Dwellings to the east, from Lordsburg to the south, along U.S. Route 180 to the west, and from Quemado to the north.
Numerous extreme hazards to ground and aerial firefighters exist, including extremely steep, rugged terrain; heavy dead and down fuels; overhead snags and six-hour ground evacuation times. Direct and indirect tactics are being used by firefighters. Direct tactics are being considered where fire is threatening identified values, such as the Mogollon Baldy Lookout, if the risks to firefighters’ safety can be adequately mitigated and if the probability of success is high. The immediate values at risk do not include private property.
No significant rain is predicted this week. Smoke, and occasionally flames, will continue to be visible from great distances in all directions.
The lightning-caused Sacaton Fire was detected Sunday, June 21, in the Gila Wilderness. It is currently about 3.5 miles west of the Mogollon Baldy Lookout and approximately 12 miles east of the community of Pleasanton.
Stay informed about wildfire activity through the forest’s website and Facebook page, InciWeb, New Mexico Fire Information or WildFireSA.
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.
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McCauley Springs Fire Daily Update: June 29, 2026
Southwest Area Incident Management Team 3– MATT RAU – INCIDENT COMMANDER
Acres: 716
Containment: 33%
Start Date: June 24, 2026
Location: Jemez Ranger District, east of Battleship Rock
Cause: Undetermined
Fuels: Timber, grass & understory, hardwood litter
Personnel: 398
Highlights: Containment lines were tested during challenging weather conditions throughout the weekend. No critical threats to the line were discovered and firefighters continued to reinforce, secure, and mop up, keeping the fire contained to its current footprint. Smoke is expected to be visible in the area due to the rapid drying of fuels and continued warm weather.
For the safety of the public and firefighters; we ask that you respect the closure around the fire area to allow resources to complete important fire operations. Warm weather conditions continue to dry out fuels and resources are responding to hotspots as they arise.
Operations: Containment increased on the east side of the fire where significant mop-up depth was achieved. Firefighter’s attention was turned to the areas of smoke and heat that emerged. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are being utilized to assess heat in the area and help provide a rapid response to any new starts. Dry conditions and low relative humidity are expected for the next few days and firefighters are considering the larger landscape and topography as they make contingency plans.
Power has been restored to the community of Sierra de los Pinos, and water is currently being restored. Community members should pay attention to information channels in the next few days when they can return to their homes.
Weather: Today will continue to be sunny, with a high near 87°F. Breezy, with 10-20 mph winds and gusts up to 30 mph.
Smoke: Smoke is expected to increase due to the drying of fuels and may be visible from Albuquerque, U.S. 550, Jemez Springs, and surrounding communities. View an interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/.
Closures: Highway 4 remains closed between mile marker 27 and 40. The Santa Fe National Forest has a temporary closure order for the area of the McCauley Springs Fire. The full closure can be viewed at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/santafe/alerts. Battleship Rock Campground, Jemez Falls Campground, Redondo Campground, and Trail #137 remain closed.
Evacuations: Coordinating with Sandoval County, evacuations are in place: Go status (evacuate) – Sierra de los Pinos, and Jemez Falls Campground. An evacuation center for residents is located at Jemez Mountain Baptist Church in La Cueva. Ready status – Los Alamos County.
Safety: No drones or aircraft are allowed to fly in the area. If you fly, they can’t.
Phone Number: 505-273-6432 (7 a.m.-7 p.m.)
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmsnf-mccauley-springs-fire
Email: 2026.mccauleysprings@firenet.gov Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/McCauleySpringsFire/
COCHITI LAKE, N.M. — Emergency responders are still conducting an active search operation Sunday night for a person who went missing in Cochiti Lake.
The Pueblo de Cochiti, Cochiti Fire Department, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers established a unified command to coordinate all search and response operations. The pueblo and Army Corps issued a closure order for the affected area which remains in effect Sunday night.
“We respectfully ask all members of the public to honor this closure and avoid entering the restricted area. Keeping the area clear allows emergency personnel to operate safely and efficiently and helps ensure the best possible conditions for the ongoing search,” the Cochiti Fire Department stated.
The fire department encouraged everyone to avoid the area and not interfere with emergency operations.
Details are limited. However, the department stated the area will be closed until further notice and a statement will be issued when it is reopened.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Former state champions Jesse Perez and Degan Baca spent the day helping develop the next generation of wrestlers as Raton’s young program continues to grow.
Just two years after restarting its wrestling program, Raton High School is already building momentum—and getting some help from two accomplished wrestlers. Former Deming High School standout Jesse Perez and Cleveland High School graduate Degan Baca spent Tuesday working with wrestlers at the Raton wrestling camp, sharing techniques, experiences and lessons they’ve learned throughout their careers.
“Coach Ayon hit me up and said, ‘Hey, I’m a Deming alum, and we just got our program started a few years ago, and we’d love to have you out here,’” Perez said. “I thought it sounded like a great opportunity to give back to kids that probably don’t get to see a lot of successful wrestlers or be a part of that kind of journey.”
“I think they’re all eager to learn, and that’s the first step,” Baca said. Baca, who wrestles at Life University in Georgia, connected with Perez during his collegiate career. Perez enjoyed a standout career at Life, winning an NAIA national championship before finishing at Northwestern.
During the camp, Baca said several wrestlers shared their goals of qualifying for and placing at the state tournament—goals he remembers having himself. “They were telling me how disappointed they were not qualifying for state and wanting to place at state,” Baca said. “I remember having those same goals and ambitions, so I really wanted to strive to help them.”
Both wrestlers hope camps like this continue to grow the sport across New Mexico while reminding young athletes that success comes from consistency long before the season begins.
“We do all this hard work and sometimes think we’re owed something because of it,” Perez said. “You have to have that chip on your shoulder, but at the same time, you have to be grateful that you’re there to compete.”
Baca echoed that message, emphasizing the importance of putting in the work during the offseason. “Summer-time wrestlers make winter-time champions,” Baca said. “Coming here over the summer and taking time out of their day means so much to these kids.”
As Raton’s wrestling program continues to grow, visits from accomplished New Mexico athletes like Perez and Baca are helping lay the foundation for the next generation of champions.
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