Fire

McCauley Springs Fire Reaches 100% Containment 

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USFS News:

SANTA FE — The McCauley Springs Fire in the Jemez Ranger District, east of Battleship Rock, is 100% contained at 712 acres. 

The fire was reported on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. The Northern New Mexico Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT), led by Incident Commander Luke McLarty, initially managed the fire before the Southwest Area Incident Management Team 3, under Incident Commander Matt Rau, took over. From June 26 to July 4, this team handled operations, after which command returned to the Jemez Ranger District. Under a Type 4 organization, firefighters worked to cool remaining Read More

Los Alamos Fire Department Strengthens Wildfire Response Through Statewide Partnerships

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LAFD Brush 8-1: LAFD Brush 8 Firefighter Mycah Huitron (facing the camera) and Firefighter Chad Drummond (on the top of the engine) assisting with wildfire response north of Cañada de los Alamos, where multiple agencies worked together to contain a fire burning within the Santa Fe National Forest. by Nathan Burton. Copyright © 2026 The New Mexican, Inc. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. Courtesy/LAC

LAFD Brush 8-2: LAFD Brush 8 Captain John Bialy (left) and Firefighter Chad Drummond in the middle assisting with wildfire response north of Cañada de los Alamos, where multiple Read More

BAER Completes Assessment On McCauley Springs Fire

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A BAER soil scientist evaluates soil burn severity on the McCauley Springs Fire. Courtesy/SFNF

SFNF News:

SANTA FE – The Santa Fe National Forest has released the results of a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) assessment following the McCauley Springs Fire, which began June 24 northeast of Jemez Springs and burned 716 acres in the Jemez Ranger District.

The fire is now 93% contained as of July 9, 2026.

A multi-disciplinary BAER team evaluated the burned area to identify risks to human life, property, and critical resources. Over 80% of the fire was mapped as low soil burn severity, meaning Read More

Jemez Ranger District Extends Temporary Closure Order For McCauley Springs Fire Area

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SFNF News:

SANTA FE — The Santa Fe National Forest, Jemez Ranger District has extended the temporary closure order for the McCauley Springs Fire area, effective at 12 p.m., July 7 through 8 a.m., Aug. 11, unless rescinded.  

The order prohibits entering the designated closure area, as well as traveling on any roads or trails within it, to protect public health and safety following firefighting operations. The closure order and official map are available on the Santa Fe National Forest website under Alerts.  

Several recreation sites previously closed due to the fire have now reopened to the Read More

Final McCauley Springs Fire Update: July 4, 2026

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Communities in the McCauley Springs Fire area express their gratitude to firefighters. Courtesy photo

USFS News:

Crews are nearing completion of suppression repair activities on the McCauley Springs Fire. Southwest Area Team 3 is preparing to transition command of the fire area back to a local organization. Resources will remain in place and available to respond to any new starts throughout the holiday.

This will be the last update from Southwest Complex Incident Management Team 3. Unless there is any significant change, there will not be another update until the fire is fully contained. Read More

McCauley Springs Fire Update: July 3, 2026

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USFS News:

Acres: 712                                        

Containment: 63%                                     

Start Date: June 24, 2026

Location: Jemez Ranger District, east of Battleship Rock                   

Cause: Undetermined

Fuels: Timber, grass & understory, hardwood litter                                           

Personnel: 328                                                                 

Highlights: Crews continued suppression repair work in areas near the Sierra de los Pinos community yesterday, making good progress rehabilitating roads and campgrounds impacted during firefighting activities. Read More

Los Alamos County Remains In READY Status During Fire Season 

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COUNTY News:

          • Be safe and mindful of fire restrictions this holiday weekend

The Los Alamos County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) would like to remind residents that Los Alamos County remains in the READY stage of the Ready, Set, Go! wildfire preparedness program throughout fire season. Heading into the holiday weekend, citizens are reminded to be mindful of the current fire restrictions and be safe as they celebrate.

McCauley Springs Fire Update

OEM continues to monitor the McCauley Springs Fire. Recent progress has significantly reduced the immediate threat to Los Alamos County. Read More

McCauley Springs Fire Update: July 1, 2026

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PatRick crew mopping up along fireline June 29, 2026. Courtesy photo

USFS News:

Acres: 712

Containment: 43% 

Start Date: June 24, 2026

Location: Jemez Ranger District, east of Battleship Rock

Cause: Undetermined

Fuels: Timber, grass & understory, hardwood litter

Personnel: 386                                                

Highlights: Crews from the McCauley Springs Fire assisted local units in responding to a new start within the Valles Caldera National Preserve yesterday. The 6.8 acre Rendocito Fire near PC03 Road received water drops from helicopters, and an engine and three squads of hotshots were able to assist in quickly Read More

Forest Service Publishes Proposed Rule To Redefine, Streamline Guidance For Employees

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USFS News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Forest Service is inviting public comment on a proposed rule to modernize its directives system – the agency’s internal documentation that guides how employees carry out their work. The proposal would redefine the agency’s manual and handbooks to reduce procedural burdens, encourage innovation and return decision-making authority to employees closest to the land.

“Today, the Forest Service maintains more than 900 chapters of national guidance and thousands of additional regional and unit-level supplements,” Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz Read More

McCauley Spring Fire Update: June 30, 2026

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USFS News:

Acres: 712                                        

Containment: 43%                                     

Start Date: June 24, 2026

Location: Jemez Ranger District, east of Battleship Rock                   

Cause: Undetermined

Fuels: Timber, grass & understory, hardwood litter                                           

Personnel: 384                                                                                                                                              

Highlights: While the fire remains smoldering and creeping through dry fuels, suppression efforts Read More