Rabbit Ear East Fire (NM)
Satellite image: NASA MODIS (infrared — active fire in orange/red, from yesterday).
Heat detections: NASA FIRMS (last 48h).
Quick facts
- Location
- Union County
- Cause
- Natural
- Jurisdiction
- Private land
Burning across private land in Union County, New Mexico, the active Rabbit Ear East Fire has expanded to 1,000 acres since igniting from a natural cause on August 23, 2026. Satellites are picking up six heat detections in the past 48 hours, illustrating the current spread of the fire front in a region where the typical fire season spans from June to October.
This incident unfolds within a broader national context where 3,005,648 hectares have burned so far in 2026, marking a figure that is 45% below the two-decade average for the country.
In context
This wildfire has been burning in New Mexico for 1 day. So far it has affected roughly 1,000 acres — about 4.0 km².
In the Northern Hemisphere, wildfire activity usually peaks during the warm, dry months — roughly May through October.
The bigger picture in United States
Across United States, roughly 3,005,648 hectares have burned so far in 2026 — 45% below the two-decade average. Data from Copernicus GWIS.
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Community reports
Reports from people near the fire · unverified
Not official emergency information. In an emergency, contact fire services/authorities.
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