Overview
- The Island Fire began on July 25, 2026, and raced through dried riparian vegetation into the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge.
- Incident command reported the blaze at about 3,145 acres and 65% contained with 85 personnel assigned in the July 29 update.
- Fire damage caused the Hart Mine Road (Island Unit) bridge to burn and collapse into the Colorado River, and agencies have marked hazardous debris and closed the Island Unit and Hart Mine Road.
- The loss of the bridge further limits crossings after a nearby bridge burned in August 2025, disrupting farm-to-market routes and isolating the small Cibola community.
- Federal crews continue perimeter work and an origin investigation; local accounts place the start near Walter's Camp but that location has not been confirmed by investigators.