The Laguna Fire has burned 15,714 acres in northern New Mexico and is 40% contained, as of an update fire managers provided Wednesday.
SANTA FE, N.M. — The Laguna Fire has burned 15,714 acres and is 40% contained in the Santa Fe National Forest in northern New Mexico, as of an update fire managers provided Wednesday.
Lightning started the Laguna Fire June 25 in an area four miles northeast of Gallina, New Mexico. 291 firefighters are responding to the fire as five crews and with eight engines, four helicopters, an unmanned aircraft, three water tenders, two dozers and four ambulances. The fire is burning oak brush, piñon-juniper and mixed conifer.
The Santa Fe National Forest provided this map showing the containment of the fire:
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Firefighters focused on patrolling hazards, reinforcing containment lines and protecting areas at risk Tuesday. On the northwestern edge of the fire, firefighters continued monitoring the perimeter and assessed opportunities for further containment. Air resources also provided water drops in that area.
In the central and eastern areas, crews assessed hotspots. They also worked to prevent further fire spread as they say the area still holds heat.
Firefighters are in communities near the Rio Gallina and Rio Chama. They are monitoring conditions and addressing areas “that pose continued risk.”
Meteorologists predict hotter and drier weather for the Laguna Fire area Wednesday in New Mexico. They expect that to possibly increase the spread of fire and smoke.
Managers will focus on securing the containment line from the southeastern perimeter. They are prioritizing that area due to its steep terrain and importance as a watershed for nearby communities. An unmanned aircraft will help provide “aerial support and reconnaissance” to firefighters in the northern part of the fire.
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Beyond Wednesday, meteorologists anticipate “a continued warming and drying trend” for the area. They expect more days with warmer temperatures and lower humidity. However, winds will be light throughout the day.
For the most up-to-date smoke information, you can visit this website. Meanwhile, the U.S. Forest Service also put a closure order in place for their lands in this area.
Gallina Ranch is still in “Go” evacuation status. The Monastery of Christ in the Desert remains in “Set” status. You can also find the latest Laguna Fire evacuations on the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department website.
NM FAST (New Mexico Federal and State Technology) is now accepting applications for a free space-sector accelerator cohort designed to help New Mexico-based technology companies compete for federal funding through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The cohort targets founders and researchers pursuing grants from NASA, Space Force and related federal agencies, with programming set to launch July 21.
The cohort will admit six to 10 New Mexico companies and run for 10 to 12 weeks, meeting in weekly sessions of approximately one and a half to two hours. Programming covers the full arc of federal commercialization strategy, including space-sector SBIR/STTR opportunities and federal funding pathways, proposal development for technical narratives and commercialization components, federal procurement positioning and agency discovery, capital strategy and follow-on funding options, and transition planning from Phase I to Phase II awards. Participants also receive targeted one-on-one advisory support throughout the program. The cohort is offered at no cost to accepted companies.
The program is open to companies at both the pre-award and early-award stages. The majority of cohort seats are designed for Phase 0 companies preparing to submit Phase I SBIR/STTR applications to NASA or Space Force. A limited number of seats are available for Phase I awardees working toward Phase II readiness and Phase III transition planning.
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“New Mexico has a deep base of research and a growing pipeline of founders ready to translate that work into companies that can compete for federal R&D dollars,” said Carlos Murguia, director of the Technology and Innovation Gateway at Arrowhead Center. “This cohort focuses specifically on the space sector, pairing New Mexico companies with Larta’s expertise in SBIR and STTR commercialization to give founders a clear, structured path from early-stage research to federal award.”
Larta Institute, NM FAST’s commercialization partner for this program, will lead the full design and delivery of the accelerator curriculum. Larta has supported startups that have collectively raised more than $23.7 billion since 1993 and brings that track record to founders working in New Mexico’s growing aerospace and space technology sector.
The cohort aligns with the aerospace priority sector named in the New Mexico Entrepreneurship Programmatic Support Grant and is relevant to companies working at the intersection of advanced computing, bioscience and advanced energy applications in space-related contexts.
NM FAST is administered by Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University and operates statewide, serving founders in Las Cruces, Albuquerque, Los Alamos and rural communities across New Mexico. Over more than a decade of programming, NM FAST has supported more than 470 New Mexico startups and helped companies secure nearly $28 million in federal SBIR awards. Targeted outreach is directed to rural, women, veteran and minority entrepreneurs.
The program is sponsored by the New Mexico Economic Development Department’s Technology and Innovation Office through the New Mexico Entrepreneurship Programmatic Support Grant, which supports continued statewide programming for SBIR/STTR-eligible companies in the four priority sectors.
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Applications are open now and will be accepted through July 14, 2026. Interested companies can apply at forms.gle/CqSwEL7LahqB5pGu9. Space is limited, and selected companies will be notified before the program launch.
SANTA FE, N.M. – Santa Fe County and Edgewood approved a new agreement and ordinance that secures ongoing fire and EMS services for Edgewood residents.
According to a joint announcement from the Town of Edgewood and Santa Fe County on June 19, the two governments negotiated and adopted a new Joint Powers Agreement and ordinance to keep the Santa Fe County Fire Department serving the town.
County and town representatives drafted the agreement together. The town adopted the ordinance unanimously at a special meeting on June 16, putting an end to weeks of uncertainty.
Santa Fe County District 3 Commissioner Camilla Bustamante said, “I believe we are all relieved to know that the people of Edgewood will continue to have the fire and EMS services necessary to protect their homes, their families, and their community. This community deserves nothing less.”
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The announcement said the ordinance takes effect five days after final publication. The statement also said no further action or approval is needed to guarantee continued fire suppression, fire prevention, and EMS services for Edgewood residents.
Both governments noted the agreement will continue indefinitely unless either side ends it with five years’ notice.
