SFNF NEWS RELEASE
Acres: 722
Containment: 0%
Start Date: June 24, 2026
Location: Jemez Ranger District, east of Battleship Rock
Cause: Undetermined
Personnel: 309
Fuels: Timber, logging slash, and short grass
A community meeting has been scheduled for June 28, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Location to be determined. Please monitor the McCauley Springs Facebook and Inciweb for details.
Highlights: Firefighters utilized direct extinguishment tactics, engaging the active flame front directly on the fire’s edge to stop spread. In addition, resources used indirect confinement strategy on aspects of the fire perimeter that posed significant safety challenges, working away from the fire’s edge to steer and contain the fire.
Operations: Structure assessment was completed on the southeast perimeter of the fire around the community of Sierra de los Pinos. Interagency Hotshot Crews (IHCs) utilized direct tactics to put in handline where Division Alpha and Division Delta meet. Along Highway 4 firefighters utilized indirect tactics to conduct strategic burnout operations between the control line and the advancing fire to remove unburned fuels.
With good relative humidity throughout the day yesterday, fire behavior was more moderated and reduced to smoldering. Initial attack was performed on one new start with helicopters performing bucket drops, and four helicopters remain assigned to the fire for any additional hot spots that may arise. With a Red Flag Warning issued for both today and Sunday, securing handline and performing mop up will be a priority.
Weather: Today is expected to be hot, dry, and windy with abundant sunshine and critical fire weather conditions. No significant rainfall is expected. Afternoon temperatures will climb to around 88°F, while southwest winds will increase to 20–30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. A Red Flag Warning is in effect due to the combination of strong winds, low humidity, and critically dry fuels.
Smoke: Smoke has reduced significantly, but 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/
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.cCauley Springs Fire Update – Saturday, June 27, 2026