Wildfire in Southwest Mountains, New Mexico

The lightning caused Sacaton fire was located in an extremely remote area of the Gila National Forest within the 2012 Whitewater-Baldy burn scar. The very rugged and remote area made fire suppression activities difficult. Combined with critical fire weather conditions, the fire was able to grow to 372 acres by the end of June, continuing into July.

The combination of severe to extreme drought conditions and multiple runs of critical fire weather conditions allowed two remote wildfires to rapidly grow during the last week of June 2026. The lightning caused Sacaton Fire began June 21st in a remote area of the Gila National Forest, while the Beehive fire began in a remote area of the Tusas Mountains June 26th, with both continuing into the month of July. While both fires produced some smoke concerns in the surrounding areas, neither was a threat to lives or property.