05/17/2026
Lincoln County, NM
Acres
6,360.9
Containment
0%
Active • Updated 2 minutes ago
Created by WildCAD • 3 days ago • May 14 at 4:12 AM
Go - Level 3 - Evacuation Order
See attached map from Lincoln County Fire Service.
Susan Perney
•
Reporter
Less than a minute ago • May 17 at 12:41 PM
Air support is currently working the Seven Cabins Fire. A mapping flight is complete, and an Air Attack plane is on scene. A Sikorsky helicopter is working the fire, and a large air tanker has been ordered and is currently loading in Roswell. Per radio traffic.
Susan Perney
•
Reporter
About 2 hours ago • May 17 at 10:23 AM
Seven Cabins Fire Daily Update: May 17th, 2026
Acres: 6361 acres
Start Date: May 14, 2026
Location: Capitan Mountain Wilderness
Personnel: 226 personnel
Fuels: Heavy dead fuels in the Peppin burn scar
Containment: 0% Contained
Resources: 5 crews | 9 engines | 3 helicopters | 4 Water Tenders | 3 dozers
Highlights: Air and ground resources work to hold Seven Cabins Fire south of Highway 246. Operations: Ground and air resources worked throughout the day to hold the fire south of Highway 246. Resources stayed on scene through the night and into the morning protecting values at risk by the encroaching fire. This morning crews will continue their efforts to hold fire south of Highway 246 using direct tactics where they can safely engage the fire and indirect tactics where difficult terrain and dense fuels limit direct tactics. Resources anticipate backfiring operations along indirect control lines north and east of the fire which could include Highway 246 to slow further spread towards the northeast. Additional ground resources will continue to construct indirect control lines around the dense fuels and rocky terrain along the east side of the fire in the Pine Lodge area and further south as terrain and fuels allow. This combination of direct and indirect tactics will be required to contain this fire. Towards the northeast, multiple resources will be working around values at risk to remove vegetation and prepare them in the event that fire reaches their location. Air resources will continue to be utilized in conjunction with ground resources as long as the weather permits. The communication towers remain protected and operational due to the successful efforts of the fire fighters. On May 16th a meeting was held with potentially impacted livestock producers, staff from the Lincoln National Forest, and members of the incident management team to ensure open and successful communication continues amongst impacted parties and individuals.
Weather: Weather conditions today will create critical to extreme fire weather conditions. Winds will be blowing 20 - 30 mph out of the southwest with gusts up to 50 mph. These winds when combined with already dry grass, brush, trees, and a humidity between 5 - 10 % make for a potential to see additional notable fire growth. There is Red Flag Warning in effect today until midnight tonight and then a Fire weather Watch for tomorrow. Dry and windy conditions are expected to continue through the night, and the fire will likely remain active overnight.
Smoke: With continued high winds out of the southwest, residents should expect to continue to see large smoke plume that may travel for some distance in the wind. Residents to the northeast of the fire may smell and see haze as smoke drifts into their communities.
Closures: There is a forest closure order in place around the Seven Cabins Fire closing all roads, trails, and access to the Capitan Mountains Wilderness Area. There is a flight restriction (TFR) in place around the fire to ensure safe access for firefighting aircraft.
Evacuations: There are evacuations currently in place from State Highway 246 to the ridge top of the Capitan Mountains, between Gap Road and Boy Scout Mountain. Residents in this area should leave the area to ensure their life safety.
Safety: Firefighters will be working along and around State Highway 246, residents should use caution when traveling in the area and travel slowly around firefighters. Aircraft are still being heavily used to slow fire spread and cannot fly if private drones are in the area. Remember, if you fly, we can’t.
**Photo credit John W Rooney
