Non-Local News Releases

ALBUQUERQUE, NM, July 5, 2024 - The lightning-caused Fisher Fire reported on July 1 by the Worthington Lookout Tower within the northwest San Mateo Mountains on the Magdalena Ranger District will use a confine and contain strategy within a designated area to reduce fuel loads and promote healthier landscapes.

Reported date / time: July 1, 2024 / 1825         Cause: Lightning Strike            Size: 45 acres

Location: Remote mountainous terrain of northwest San Mateo Mts. on the Magdalena Ranger District – New Mexico on the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands.

Strategy: Confine and contain.             Containment: 0%.

Fall and Winter Gardening Presentation, free admission, limited seating

Bayard Community Center, 209 Hurley Avenue, Bayard

Learn when and how to plant seeds for cool weather crops and how to care for your fall garden, so you can harvest until it's time to plant again in the spring. The class will focus on growing in the high desert climate. Your presenter is Chris Hammen, who moved to Silver City from the Houston area where she was a master gardener for ten years. Q&A will follow the presentation.

Arrive 15 minutes early to check in and get settled before the presentation begins.

To register, contact janna@wildrocketgardens  or text 575-342-1189

See pdf flyer below for schedule

New Mexico Tourism Department

Roughly 71 percent of grants issued to rural communities in FY25

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Tourism Department (NMTD) is awarding $3.8 million in grant funding to 48 entities through the Cooperative Marketing Grant Program for fiscal year 2025.

NMTD is instituting a 2-to-1 funding match for FY25, meaning the monetary obligation from grant recipients is only 33 percent of the grant total provided by NMTD. Due to this 2-to-1 funding match, the total advertising investment for FY25 is an estimated $5.7 million.

Daily Update, Thursday, July 4, 2024

Final update from Southwest Area Incident Management Team 5 

Mescalero Apache Tribe Emergency Operations Center: 575-464-9214 (8am-6pm) 

Village of Ruidoso and Lincoln County Emergency Operations Center: 575-258-6900 (7am-10pm) 

Fire Information Phone: 575-323-8378 or 575-323-8258 (8am-8pm) 

Media Information Phone: 575-323-8053 (8am-8pm) 

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

In all construction zones, motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs, and use extreme caution, as well as continue to be cautious of heavy equipment and construction personnel in the area. PLEASE NOTE: Conditions are subject to change without notice. Double fines for speeding in work zones may be in effect.

White Sands Missile Range Notification

For information regarding closures, you may call WSMR at 678-1178 or 678-2222 for updates.

Interstates:

I-25 Bridge Replacement Project, Williamsburg CN1100990

Lightning Strike - San Mateo Mountains – Fisher Fire

ALBUQUERQUE, NM, July 3, 2024 – During a Monday evening thunderstorm the Worthington Lookout Tower reported smoke in the northwest San Mateo Mountains on the Magdalena Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands. Yesterday, fire crews were unable to access the area due to the remote location and threatening weather conditions. Today fire crews are responding, and additional updates will be sent as new information is received on the Fisher Fire.

Up to $200K Per Award Available to Support New Local Programs

SANTA FE - The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is launching a new grant program to support the development and implementation of local beautification programs. Local governments will be eligible to receive up to $200K per award, and the funding will support 15 to 20 total awardees in the inaugural year.