Deer Canyon fire: Evacuations lifted, structure threat passed

Fire managers declared the Deer Canyon Fire effectively controlled on Tuesday, June 24, 2026, lifting all evacuation orders and announcing the incident has reached 50% containment — enough to eliminate any remaining threat to structures in the area.

The fire was discovered at 4:00 PM on Saturday, June 20, in the Deer Canyon subdivision south of Mountainair. Lightning ignited dry grass and piñon-juniper brush on private land, and the blaze grew to an estimated 117 acres before crews, aided by aerial water drops, pushed containment to its current level over the past two days.

According to a final update posted by NM Fire Info, fire activity has remained low, and a crew of approximately 70 personnel continues to secure the perimeter and mop up residual burning. Smoke visible from interior pockets is not expected to spread. "This will be the last notification unless there are significant changes," fire information officials wrote.

The Mountainair Dispatch has been covering the Deer Canyon Fire since it ignited on June 20, 2026.