Lightning Sparks Sand Springs Fire in Manzano Mountain Wilderness, Smoke Visible From Mountainair

Cibola National Forest crews respond to a 5-acre blaze west of the Manzano Crest Trail; three smaller lightning fires also reported across the forest

MOUNTAINAIR, NM — A familiar sight appeared over the Manzanos this weekend: a thin column of smoke rising over the ridgeline. The US Forest Service confirmed Saturday that the smoke is coming from the Sand Springs Fire, a lightning-caused wildfire burning in steep terrain within the Manzano Mountain Wilderness.

The fire was reported at 3:38 PM MDT on Friday, July 31, 2026, by the lookout at Capilla Peak. As of the Forest Service's Saturday update, it had burned an estimated five acres in rugged country north of Osha Peak, south of Capilla Peak and west of the Manzano Crest Trail, within the Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.

What Residents Need to Know

Forest Service Engines 641 and C651 are on scene working direct extinguishment in timber and dead-and-down fuels. Fire behavior is listed as moderate spread potential given the steep, forested terrain.

The Forest Service says smoke from the Sand Springs Fire may be visible from Mountainair, Manzano, Punta de Agua, Torreon, the west side of the Manzano Mountains, and areas east of US-25.

The agency is asking the public to stay out of the fire area and, as with any active incident, to keep drones grounded. Unauthorized drone flights force firefighting aircraft out of the sky. "If you fly, we can't," the Forest Service said in its release.

There is no update yet on containment percentage or acreage growth for Sand Springs as of this report.

Three Smaller Fires Also Reported

The Sand Springs Fire was one of several lightning starts the Forest Service attributed to recent thunderstorms across central New Mexico. None of the others are near Torrance County, but the agency listed them in the same release:

• Grassy Fire, San Mateo Mountains, Magdalena Ranger District — a tenth of an acre, reported July 31 and listed as a final report with containment lines being constructed.
• Barometer Fire, Zuni Mountains, Mount Taylor Ranger District — a tenth of an acre, reported July 31 and listed at 100 percent containment.
• Rock Springs Fire and Notches Fire, also in the Zuni Mountains — six acres and five acres respectively, both reported in late July and listed as final updates with no new growth.

The Forest Service said it will send further updates only if fire behavior on any of these incidents changes significantly.

Weather Ahead

The National Weather Service forecast scattered showers and thunderstorms for the Albuquerque area after 3 p.m. Saturday, some potentially severe, with a high near 100 degrees. Sunday, August 2, 2026, is expected to be sunny and hot with a high near 101 degrees. Continued lightning activity raises the possibility of additional fire starts in the district in the days ahead.

Torrance County residents are also encouraged to sign up for TextMyGov emergency alerts to receive real-time notifications tailored to their needs:

• Text TORRANCE COUNTY to 80946 for general notifications and emergency alerts.
• Text TORRANCE FIRE ALERTS to 80946 for information on prescribed burns or active fires in the area.
• Text TORRANCE NWS to 80946 to receive weather-related alerts.

For updates directly from the agency managing the response, visit the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands website.