Laughlin Fire (New Mexico)

Burning across short grass in Colfax County, New Mexico, the 786-acre Laughlin Fire has reached 100 percent containment after a 12-day run that saw it expand at an average rate of approximately 66 acres per day. Located 10 miles east of Maxwell, the natural-cause blaze affected private land with low-intensity fire behavior featuring active creeping through one-foot grass.

Operations wound down with a modest Type 5 incident management team of 32 personnel overseeing the final stages, bringing total suppression expenditures to $12,000. The incident unfolded during the region's typical fire season, which spans from June to October.

Nationwide, the broader landscape reflects a quieter year for fire activity. Across the country, 3,177,542 hectares have burned so far in 2026, tracking 42 percent below the two-decade average.