EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Sacaton Fire, burning in New Mexico’s Gila Wilderness, has grown to more than 5,500 acres and is at 0 percent containment, fire officials said on Friday, July 3.
The fire, which is burning 15 miles east of Glenwood, New Mexico, was first spotted on June 21 and was caused by lightning.
Friday, July 3, the Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Management Team took command of the fire. Firefighters are using indirect tactics to protect “values at risk,” which include Willow Creek subdivision and the Mogollon Baldy Lookout and communications site. Resources are preparing containment lines for defensive firing operations near Willow Creek subdivision. The team ordered more resources to support firefighting efforts.The Sacaton Fire grew to the northeast Thursday, reaching the southwest corner of the 2026 Hummingbird Fire footprint. Steep terrain, heavy fuel loading, active fire behavior, and long medical evacuation times hinder firefighters from safely engaging the fire in the wilderness with direct tactics…