Non-Local News Releases

NB: This will be the final notification for Pond Fire and Milagro Fire unless there are significant changes.

Gail Fire

Update: Resources progressed on the Gail Fire yesterday, constructing and enhancing line and working on interior hot spots. Containment was raised to 10% and communities were placed back to "Set" status from "Go." Today, crews will work on securing interior
hot spots in anticipation of raising containment by the end of today's operational shift.

Ox and Rona Fires 100% Contained
March 20, 2025 UPDATE

Name: Ox Fire
Reported start date / time: March 18, 2025 / 1600 Cause: Undetermined.
Size: 4.3 acres Containment: 100%
Location: Manzano Mountains south of Ox Canyon on the Mountainair Ranger District – New Mexico - Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands. Approximately 5 miles southwest of the town of Manzano.
Resources on scene: 1 USFS Engine, 1 BLM Rio Puerco Module and FWS Engine.
Fire Behavior: The Ox Fire is exhibiting very low interior fire behavior.

2024-25 Fishing RIBs and licenses still available online!

A 2024-25 Fishing License is required and is valid through March 31, 2025. The 2024-25 Fishing Rules and Information Booklet (RIB) is available online and in print in English and Spanish.

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Senate today unanimously confirmed Rob Black as the cabinet secretary for the Economic Development Department.

"Sec. Black understands that expanding economic security starts with creating high-quality jobs," Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. "Rob is proving that his broad experience and consensus-building skills will grow our economy and expand opportunity in all corners of the state."

Born and raised in Lovington, Black graduated from the University of New Mexico and the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco.

March 19, 2025 UPDATE

Name: Ox Fire
Reported start date / time: March 18, 2025 / 1600 Cause: Undetermined.
Size: 4.3 acres Containment: 30%
Location: Manzano Mountains south of Ox Canyon on the Mountainair Ranger District – New Mexico - Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands. Approximately 5 miles southwest of the town of Manzano.
Resources on scene: 2 USFS Engines, 1 BLM Rio Puerco Module, Mt. Taylor Short Module and FWS Engine.
Fire Behavior: The Ox Fire is exhibiting moderate fire behavior within the fire's perimeter interior.
Strategy: Full suppression.

March 19, 2025

The New Mexico Forestry Division would like to update you on three wildfires that are requiring the attention of state, local, and federal resources in New Mexico.

Gail Fire

Update: The Gail Hill fire is estimated at 235 acres and is zero percent contained. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The fire was discovered at 3:21 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, and is located 2 miles east of Mayhill, NM. Resources responded and engaged the fire into the evening and overnight. They made good progress using hand line and dozers to create the beginnings of containment. Today, crews will continue constructing and enhancing fire line and mopping up around structures. Additional resources are still arriving. GPS will be used to gain more accuracy on the fire's acreage.

Reported start date / time: March 18, 2025 / 1600

Cause: Undetermined. Size: Approximately 3-4 acres

Location: Manzano Mountains south of Ox Canyon within the 2007 Ojo Peak Fire scar on the MountainairRanger District – New Mexico - Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands. Approximately 7 miles west of the town of Manzano.

Scientific Survey Indicates Government is Trying to Do Too Many Things

Albuquerque, NM – The findings of the 2025 Garrity Perception Survey (GPS’25) show that trust of state and federal government officials is at a record low and distrust is at an all-time high. According to the GPS’25, only 17 percent of New Mexico residents trust federal government officials and 19 percent trust state government officials. The scientific survey was commissioned by The Garrity Group Public Relations and conducted by Research & Polling Inc., both New Mexico firms.

“Trust in Federal government has been low since the inaugural 2011 survey, ranging from 14 percent in 2013 to 29 percent in 2020. The current sentiment about the federal government (17 percent trust) is likely driven by the fallout from the presidential leadership transition, DOGE and mass layoffs at federal agencies,” says Tom Garrity, president of The Garrity Group Public Relations. “The percentage of residents who distrust state government has risen from 35% in 2020 to 51% currently. The impacts of the legislative session may be a reason why residents feel this way.”