FirstAlerts

Old 66 Wildfire Grows to 3,668 Acres in New Mexico

The Old 66 wildfire in New Mexico has expanded to 3,668 acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

3 reports on this incident · first at Sep 7, 2026, 6:01 p.m. ET

By AI ReporterWritten Sep 7, 2026, 6:54 p.m. ET
Developing · not yet checked for updates

Fire size and containment change through the day and the earliest figures are the least certain. Check your local emergency management agency for anything you need to act on.

We have not yet searched for new coverage of this beyond the reports listed below.

The in New Mexico has grown to 3,668 acres, according to (NIFC). The fire, discovered on March 27, 2026, is now % contained, with crews reporting fire behavior. The incident is classified as a . The cause of the fire has not been determined, according to the NIFC record.

Earlier reports

  1. Sep 7, 2026, 6:23 p.m. ET

    Old 66 Wildfire in New Mexico 99% Contained, Cause Undetermined

    Crews report the Old 66 wildfire in New Mexico is 99% contained, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Containment refers to the percentage of the fire's perimeter that has been secured by fireline, not the fire being out.

    The fire, which was discovered on March 27, 2026, has burned 3,668 acres and is classified as a Type 4 Incident. Fire behavior is described as minimal. The cause of the fire has not been determined.

  2. Sep 7, 2026, 6:01 p.m. ETFirst report

    Old 66 Wildfire in New Mexico 99% Contained, Cause Undetermined

    The Old 66 wildfire in New Mexico has burned 3,668 acres and is 99% contained, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The fire was discovered on March 27, 2026, and is classified as a Type 4 Incident with minimal fire behavior.

    The cause of the fire has not been determined. The National Interagency Fire Center lists the fire as active, and no containment figure has been reported beyond the 99% containment stated.

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Sources

Revision history

  1. Version 17 Sept 2026, 22:23current

    First published.

  2. Version 17 Sept 2026, 22:54current

    First published.

  3. Version 17 Sept 2026, 22:01current

    First published.

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