Non-Local News Releases

New Reports and Updates on Fires within
Mt. Taylor, Magdalena and Mountainair Ranger Districts
Ox Fire in Manzano Mountain Wilderness - Rivera Canyon & Foster Fire in Zuni Mountains
Trough Fire in Mt Taylor Mountains - Sawmill Fire in Magdalena Mountains

Albuquerque, NM – June 28, 2026 — Fire resources are actively responding to suppress multiple fires that may have resulted from recent thunderstorms throughout central New Mexico.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public should avoid the fire areas.

Resources Respond to Fires on Mt. Taylor and Magdalena Ranger Districts

Foster Fire in Zuni Mountains –Trough Fire in Mt. Taylor Mountains

Sawmill Fire in Magdalena Mountains

Albuquerque, NM – June 27, 2026 — Fire resources are continuing direct extinguishment of multiple fires that may have resulted from scattered thunderstorms on Thursday and Friday throughout central New Mexico.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public should avoid the fire areas.

Drones pose a serious risk to firefighting and can cause air operations to cease. The public is reminded that "If you fly, we can't!" 

An infrared (IR) flight is planned for this afternoon for central and northern New Mexico zone. IR aircraft are used to detect new fires started by lightning when they are small.

Canyon Venado Fire -
Torrance County - Final update

June 26, 2026

Update: Yesterday, crews made good progress reinforcing fire line around the entire perimeter and knocking down pockets of fire activity. Today, all lines continue to hold, and crews continue to mop up and monitor for interior heat. This will be the last update unless there are significant changes. 

The Canyon Venado Fire was discovered at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23 south of I-40 east of Clines Corners. Currently, the fire is estimated to be 908 acres and is 20% contained. 

Evacuations / Closures: None. 

Albuquerque, NM – June 26, 2026 — Fire resources are actively responding to suppress 2 new fire starts that may have resulted from scattered thunderstorms yesterday and overnight throughout central New Mexico.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public should avoid the fire areas. Drones pose a serious risk to firefighting and can cause air operations to cease. The public is reminded that "If you fly, we can't!"

Mt. Taylor Ranger District- Zuni Mountains: Foster Fire

Reported Date / Time: June 25, 2026 / 1837                    Cause: Lightning

In all construction zones, motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs, and use extreme caution, as well as continuing 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-10 Business Loop 22, Pine St. Resurfacing Project, Mile Marker 0 to 4.2, Deming

Public invited to provide feedback during 30-day comment period 

(Washington, D.C., June 25, 2026) — The Forest Service is publishing a Federal Register notice announcing an interagency effort to monitor recreation use by implementing pilot projects across public lands. This effort is geared towards improving recreation resource management, visitor services, and planning. 

The purpose of these pilot protocols is to model recreation use patterns, including low-use and dispersed recreation activities, that may not be effectively measured by existing general and opportunistic survey and monitoring protocols. The Federal Register notice will be available for public inspection tomorrow and will officially publish on Monday, initiating a 30-day public comment period on the proposed pilot projects. The notice will direct the public to BLM's e-planning website for comment collection.

Canyon Venado Fire -
Torrance County - Update 6/25

June 25, 2026

Update: Yesterday, crews made good progress constructing fire line around the entire perimeter. Today, lines continue to hold, although the fire remains active near infrastructure to the east and wind turbines within the perimeter. Some interior heat is torching and smoking within unburnt islands. Crews will continue to maintain and improve line, watch for sparks from the interior, and mop up. 

The Canyon Venado Fire was discovered at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23 south of I-40 east of Clines Corners. Currently, the fire is estimated to be 908 acres and is 0% contained. 

Trump Administration moving to ensure state waste comes with consequences

(WASHINGTON, D.C., June 24, 2026) — Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the annual Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payment error rates (PER), which measure how accurately states determine who is eligible for SNAP and how much they should receive.

The national payment error rate for fiscal year (FY) 2025 is 10.62%, far surpassing the congressional threshold of 6%.

FY 2025 National and State Payment Error Rates

While this is a modest decrease from FY 2024, the FY 2025 rate still shows significant waste at the state level. Including both overpayments and underpayments, this year's rate represents a collective $10.1 billion in improper payments nationwide.