SFNF NEWS RELEASE
Acres: 716
Containment: 25%
Start Date: June 24, 2026
Location: Jemez Ranger District, east of Battleship Rock
Cause: Undetermined
Fuels: Timber, grass & understory, hardwood litter
Personnel: 385
A community meeting has been scheduled for Sunday, June 28, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Jemez Springs Community Park. Join in person or virtually https://www.facebook.com/
Highlights: Containment lines were secured and held Saturday during difficult weather conditions. Firefighters achieved containment along portions of Highway 4 and continued to reinforce, secure, and mop up on the south edge of the fire. A Red Flag Warning is in effect through 8:00 p.m. today and will test the work done to hold the fire’s edge. Stage II Fire Restrictions remain in effect across the Santa Fe National Forest.
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. Challenging weather conditions are expected to persist through the weekend, with the possibility of increased fire activity due to hot and dry conditions.
Operations: Progress was made securing the fire’s edge and night shift kept crews in place to identify any hot spots as windy conditions continued throughout the night. Power was restored to the community of Sierra de los Pinos and crews moved into the Jemez Falls Campground to remove hazard trees and improve the safety of the area. Crews scouted contingency line down to Camp Shaver looking for additional ways to defend the camp in the event of increased fire behavior, and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are being utilized to identify any new hot spots.
Weather: Today will continue to be sunny, with a high near 88°F. Breezy, with 15-20 mph winds and gusts up to 30-35 mph. A Red Flag Warning is in effect through 8:00 p.m.
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, we can’t.
Photo: ASI Handcrew & Top Notch Forestry mopping up along Division Alpha near HWY 4
McCauley Springs Fire Information
Email: 2026.mccauleysprings@firenet.
Phone: 505-273-6432
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/