safety
Sacaton Fire in Gila now at 5.5K acres, 0% containment
By Dave Burge at KTSM 9 News (NBC)
· July 3, 2026
· 1 min read
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 cau...
Key takeaway The fire, which is burning 15 miles east of Glenwood, New Mexico, was first spotted on June 21 and was caused [...
Why this matters in The El Paso
The Sacaton Fire's rapid growth to 5,500 acres with no containment is a pressing concern for El Paso residents, given the region's history of strong winds that can spread wildfires quickly. Although the fire is currently burning in New Mexico's Gila Wilderness, about 150 miles north of El Paso, the city's proximity to the fire zone means that smoke and potential embers could affect local air quality and pose a risk to surrounding areas. El Pasoans should be prepared for possible evacuations or air quality alerts in the coming days, especially if winds shift and push the fire closer to the city. The fire's 0 percent containment also raises concerns about the potential for the blaze to spread into Texas, which could strain local firefighting resources and impact outdoor activities in the El Paso area.
About this story
Original reporting by KTSM 9 News (NBC) . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KTSM 9 News (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 3, 2026 ·
Source: KTSM 9 News (NBC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? 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 cau...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 3, 2026 by KTSM 9 News (NBC) and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Dave Burge at KTSM 9 News (NBC). To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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