General Awareness:   This report covers the 2 week period from 01-14 June 2026.  During this period we received a total of  0.50 inch of rain.  This brings our YTD total to 3.50  inches which is -0.52 below and 87%  of the NOAA YTD Normal and  -1.47 inches below and  70% PRISM YTD Normal.  The MTD total for June is 0.50 inch, which is  -0.15 inch below and  77% of the NOAA June Monthly Normal and -0.27 inch below and 65% of the PRISM June Monthly Normal.  The soil texture and appearance are slightly damp, although precipitation has been readily absorbed without ponding.   Given these obs, and that this is  the traditional start of our Monsoon Season, I classify the condition at my station as NEAR NORMAL. 
Fire:  As of 12 June the Seven Cabins Fire has been 100% contained. The majority of the fire was on the opposing (East) side of the Capitan Mountains with respect to my station, and approximately 20 miles away. However, as the fire progressed smoke plumes and hot spot flames were visible on the facing (West) side of the Capitans. Thanks to rains at the end of May and early June, the smoke plumes and spot fires had disappeared by 04 June.  The continued rains further suppressed the smoldering remnants of the fire.  In general the rain received during the obs period appeared to be heavier in the vicinity of the Capitans than at my station. Lght to moderate haze, haze layers or low level clouds were visible in my NE quadrant throughout the obs period, most pronounced at mid-level elevations along the Capitan and West Mountains.   There were no significant impacts to air quality at my station for the duration of the Seven Cabins Fire, as measured by my Davis air quality sensor.  BLM continues to classify the Fire Hazard as HIGH at the Fort Stanton Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area (closest border approx 1.6 miles ENE of my location).   An open flame burn ban remains in effect for Lincoln County. 
Plants & Wildlife:  The greening of indigenous grasses has begun to slowly increase as a result of this month’s rains. Identical to my last report,  deer, elk, bunny and jack rabbits, wild turkeys, humming birds, and other migratory and indigenous birds observed on our property appeared healthy and normal. Numerous young deer have been spotted.  Bats have also been observed flying around our house after dark.  
Water Supply & Quality:  The water level from Rio Bonito has increased this week, demonstrating its function as a watershed tributary.  The observed water level was seen to decrease from 17 May -06 June, being COMPLETELY DRY when observed on 06 June.  With much rain being received across the Sierra Blanca Range this week the water level observed today, 14 June at approximately  1430 MDT, had  rebounded to a level not seen since mid-May.   A sequence of photos of Rio Bonito covering this period are attached,  showing  the river from the  West side of the Box Canyon Trail Bridge. (Box Canyon Trail Bridge location from Google Earth: 33.4599993 N 105.6052082 W elevation 6596 feet. Rio Bonito is a primary watershed tributary from the Sierra Blanca, Lookout and Buck Mountains, approximately 12 miles SW-WSW of my location, and feeds our local aquafer)