Front Page News

 July 13, 2026

Evacuations Lifted and Bursum Road Opened

Acres: 9,848                                                                                             Start Date: June 21, 2026

Location: 15 miles east of Glenwood, NM                                                                                  Personnel: 140

Containment: 57%                                                                                          Cause: Lightning

MAP BELOW

Summary: On Sunday, crews finished removing structure protection equipment from the Willow Creek subdivision. Resources also completed dozer work on the 119 Road.

A grader began repairing Bursum Road to reduce impacts related to fire suppression activities. Road grading will continue working south toward Willow Creek.

By Lynn Janes

The Silver City Town Council held a regular meeting June 23, 2026. Attendance to the meeting included Mayor Simon Wheaton-Smith, Nicholas Prince, Stan Snider, Victor Nanez and Angela Salaiz.

The council approved the agenda with some changes. They moved public input to just before their executive session and adding a committee report from Prince on his recent training at the Municipal Legue policy committee.

Ceremonies

Although no ceremonies were  on the agenda, they did celebrate that this would be the last meeting for Alfred Sedillo, town clerk, because he would be retiring June 30, 2026. Wheaton-Smith presented him with a recognition of his service as town clerk and congratulated him for his next job as probate judge.

By Lynn Janes

(Writer's note: Oonly a small portion at the beginning could be viewed because of technical issues.)

The Cobre Consolidated School Board held a special meeting on June 19, 2026. Board members in attendance included Hector Carrillo, Gilbert Guadiana, Agelina Hardin and David Wilguess. Dr. Verenice Gutierrez, superintendent attended, and Interim Superintendent Randal Piper also attended. , Gabriella Begay did not attend.

The special meeting had been called to approve next school year's budget, salary schedules and stipend schedules.

The board approved the agenda.

No public comment currently.

Action Items

 July 12, 2026

Repair Work Underway on Sacaton Fire

Acres: 9,848

Start Date: June 21, 2026

Location: 15 miles east of Glenwood, NM  

Personnel: 161

Containment: 52%

Cause: Lightning

MAP below:

Summary: On Saturday, crews worked to remove slash from along containment lines. Firefighters began chipping lighter fuels and transporting slash with dump trailers. An excavator was used to fill a dump truck with heavy material.

With a diminished risk of fire approaching the Willow Creek subdivision, crews also began disassembling structure protection equipment. They will complete that work today and begin returning supplies back to the regional fire cache.

Turkeyfeather Mountain, the area seeing the most fire growth recently, received a half inch of rain Saturday. The storm brought wetting rain to the entire east side of the fire. The west side received around one tenth of an inch.

Press Release – July 11, 2026

Precipitation Aids Containment on Sacaton Fire

Acres: 9737                                                                               Start Date: June 21, 2026

Location: 15 miles east of Glenwood, NM                                                                       Personnel: 161

Containment: 43%                                                                             Cause: Lightning

Summary: Fire crews made steady progress on Friday, supported by light precipitation over the entire fire area and helicopter bucket drops. Crews completed preparation work on the Bearwallow Road.  Along the 119 Road crews improved road access using a dozer. At Willow Creek, the structure protection group finished removing accumulated slash and logs to maintain road access and reduce flood risk.  Areas of remaining heat were observed near Black Mountain and north of Turkeyfeather Mountain.

Today, crews are reducing vegetation along Bearwallow Road by hauling slash created during earlier preparation work. Initial attack resources remain ready to assist other divisions and respond promptly to any new fire starts.

 July 10, 2026 

Steady Progress Continues on Sacaton Fire 

Map below

Acres: 9,675                     Start Date: June 21, 2026 

Location: 15 miles east of Glenwood, NM

Personnel: 165 

Containment: 35%        Cause: Lightning 

Summary: On Thursday, a Type 1 helicopter conducted bucket drops on the northern portion of the fire. Light precipitation occurred over the incident, though not as much as in previous days. Preparation work continued along Bearwallow Road, and snagging operations were completed up to the Bearwallow Lookout.  Several heat pockets were observed near Black Mountain and the Turkey Feather Fire footprint.    

Today, crews continue preparation work along Bearwallow Road, removing vegetation to support future fire holding operations if necessary.  A dozer will continue to improve the 119 Road, removing hazards to enhance access. The structure protection group will remove accumulated slash and logs in the Willow Creek area to reduce flooding risk. The initial attack firefighters remain available to respond to new fire starts and support local districts as needed.  

Weather: Conditions will be drier today as precipitation chances decrease. On Friday and Saturday, rain becomes much less likely as northwest winds shift deeper moisture south, bringing drier air into the fire area. 

Safety: A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Sacaton Fire. If you fly, we can't!  

Closures: Ensure you have the most current order by checking the forest's alerts webpage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts. Bursum Road/NM-159 is currently closed east of Mogollon to Willow Creek. 

Evacuations: Catron County Sheriff's Office is implementing the Ready, Set, Go! method. The community of Willow Creek is in a GO! evacuation status due to the proximity of the Sacaton Fire. Residents in GO! should leave immediately. For more information evacuation statuses, monitor Catron County Emergency Management on Facebook and sign up for Catron County emergency notifications at catroncounty.us. 

Smoke: Smoke is visible from surrounding communities. Air quality will vary based on fire activity, weather, and wind patterns. Residents should reduce prolonged outdoor activity when smoke is present and check the Air Quality Index before recreating or working outdoors. Sensitive groups should take extra precautions to limit smoke exposure. For real-time smoke conditions, visit fire.airnow.gov. 

Fire Restrictions: The Gila National Forest is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions due to long term severe drought in the Gila region, increased tree mortality across the forest, and forecasted hotter, drier weather conditions. Stage 1 Fire Restrictions limit campfires on forest land to designated recreation sites and campgrounds with constructed metal fire rings. Open burning is also prohibited in the unincorporated area of Catron County and Catron County Fire District 30. 

For more information: 

Public Information Officer: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 575-210-8631  

Incident Information: inciweb.wildfire.gov/nmgnf-sacaton-fire  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/GilaNForest 

Photos and Article by Mary Alice Murphy

Silver City Jacob Bennett Chapter Regent Lucy Whitmarsh served as Master of Ceremonies.

She welcomed everyone to the "our Liberty Tree dedication, commemorating America's 250th presented by our DAR chapter in partnership with the Silver City Rotary Club."

Whitmarsh invited whose who ere able to stand for the invocation, pledge of allegiance, American Declaration of Independence, and our national anthem.

By Roger Lanse

Sunday morning, July 5, 2026, a Silver City Fire Department crew was cleaning up the area behind the Grant County Administration Building where the town's July 4th fireworks show was displayed the evening before. According to SCFD personnel, the spent fireworks were gathered, following the show, and placed in water to be disposed of the next morning after they had soaked overnight.

As crew members were picking up the soaked ordinance Sunday morning, a 'spent' mortar suddenly exploded close to SCFD Chief Milo Lambert, injuring him severely. He was rushed to Whiskey Creek Airport where a medical helicopter transported him to an El Paso hospital.