Non-Local News Releases

Workshop set for June 25 ahead of July 31 proposal deadline

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LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) will open applications July 1 for its FY26 New Mexico Local Meat Processing Grant (LMPG), offering up to $3 million to support meat processors across the state.

A virtual workshop will be held Wednesday, June 25 at noon to help potential applicants understand the program. Registration is required in advance. After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email with meeting details.

Highlights: Yesterday's fire suppression activities brought increased containment for the two fires of the Desert Willow Complex.

Evacuations and road closures were also lifted, allowing residents to return to their homes. Today, efforts will focus on extinguishing hot spots in the bosque area, removal of hazard trees, and rehabilitation activities in the bosque. Containment for the Cotton 1 fire stands at 40%; Cotton 2 is 25%. Both fires' total acreage burned is 237.

Update: All firelines held overnight and today, crews will begin working in the bosque areas to extinguish any remaining hot spots. They will do this through a process called "gridding," in which firefighters line out evenly spaced and move across a burned area, inspecting for any signs of heat or smoldering vegetation. Today's goal is to secure all interior heat by the end of the shift. Hazardous tree removal in the bosque will begin today, which includes removal of fire-damaged trees. Only trees that pose a direct threat to public and firefighter safety will be cut down.

Desert Willow Complex Fire Evening Update 6/23/25

Highlights: A combination of decreased fire activity and further containment line establishment by response crews on the two fires of the Desert Willow Complex has raised the containment level to 40% on Cotton 1 and 25% on Cotton 2. As a result of this good progress, all evacuations will be lifted in the area. The fire's acreage has been lowered to 237 total acres due to further ground truthing.

Evening Update: As of 5 p.m. all evacuations and road closures are lifted for both previous areas listed as "Ready" and "Go" on both sides of the Rio Grande River. Residents in these areas may return to their homes.

Response crews will still be working in these areas over the coming days and residents should proceed with caution. The bosque area by the river is still considered hazardous due to fire suppression activity, and due to natural hazards such as fire-damaged trees, smoke, and heavy equipment use.

(Santa Fe, N.M., June 23, 2025) – Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced during a meeting of the Western Governors' Association in New Mexico, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule. This outdated administrative rule contradicts the will of Congress and goes against the mandate of the USDA Forest Service to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands. Rescinding this rule will remove prohibitions on road construction, reconstruction, and timber harvest on nearly 59 million acres of the National Forest System, allowing for fire prevention and responsible timber production.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is reminding drivers to stay safe on the roads as monsoon storms roll into southern New Mexico.

The National Weather Service has forecast widespread showers and thunderstorms through Thursday, June 26. NMDOT works closely with the National Weather Service during monsoon season, when the state typically sees increased rainfall and more severe weather conditions that can make travel hazardous. Storms can develop rapidly, so travelers are urged to check forecasts before heading out.

Monsoon driving safety tips:

[Editor's  Note: After this was posted, I received another "corrected" email, but it did not tell me what needed to be corrected, and I glanced at it and saw nothing obvious. So be aware that something in here is not correct, but who knows what?]

SANTA FE – A total of 499 deer licenses left over from the 2025-2026 big-game draw will go on sale at 10 a.m. MDT on Wednesday, June 25, through the Department's Online License System. 

This first-come, first-served sale will only be open to New Mexico residents during the first 24 hours. If any licenses remain after the first 24 hours, the sale will be opened to nonresidents at 10 a.m. June 26.

Desert Willow Complex Fire (Cotton and Cotton 2 Fires) Update 6/22/25

Highlights: Crews are still responding to the Cotton Fire, discovered Saturday, June 21, and the Cotton 2 Fire, which was discovered this morning across the river on the north side of the Main Street bridge in Los Lunas. Today local, state and federal crews have been working with air resources to respond to these fires, which have impacted structures in the area. Both fires are being managed as the Desert Willow Complex.

Fire Update: Crews working the fire overnight made good progress in reinforcing fire lines and identifying hot spots. Helicopter water drops and fixed wing slurry drops provided retardant to the fire area.

Wildfire Update – Skyline Fire June 22, 2025

Update: Lines constructed around the Skyline Fire yesterday held overnight. Additional resources from the US Forest Service and retardant drops from air attack allowed the fire's containment to increase to 40% as of this morning.

Today crews will be able to start beginning to secure lines and working in from the edge of the fire. Two hotshot crews have arrived and will be working with resources to help provide further containment. GPS mapping was used to update the fire's acreage to 127 acres burned.

The lightning-caused Skyline fire is located south of Hondo and HWY 380 in Lincoln County. The fire was discovered at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 21.