Non-Local News Releases

Mexican Wolf Recovery Program Update

Second Quarter 2026 (April, May, June)

The Mexican Wolf Recovery Program quarterly updates are produced by the Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team and provide updates on program activities in the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area (MWEPA) in Arizona [including the Fort Apache Indian Reservation (FAIR) and San Carlos Apache Reservation (SCAR)], and New Mexico.

To view the Second Quarter 2026 (April, May, June) summary, click the photo above or the button below.

Santa Fe, NM — New Mexico Senate Republicans are celebrating a major victory for rural New Mexico following today's announcement by the U.S. Department of Energy that it will cancel plans to move forward with the proposed Southwestern Grid Connector Corridor, known as the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC).

Senate Republican Whip Pat Woods (R-Broadview) praised the decision as a victory for private property rights, rural communities, agriculture, and New Mexico's way of life:
"This is a major win for rural New Mexico and for the families, ranchers, and communities who stood up and fought to protect their land and their livelihoods," said Sen. Pat Woods. "It took years of advocacy, education and persistence to get this right. I want to tip my hat to the New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association, landowners, local communities, and every stakeholder who refused to back down."

Final Update

Four Mile Fire – Mount Taylor Ranger District

Sand Springs Fire – Mountainair Ranger District

Albuquerque, NM – August 12, 2026

Mount Taylor Ranger District- Zuni Mountains: Four Mile Fire (Final Update)

Reported Date / Time: August 9, 2026 / 1528             

Cause: Lightning.                             Size: 16 acres.                                                                 Containment:70%

Location: Northwest Zuni Mountains, south of Jamestown and I-40, southeast of Fort Wingate, and north of McGaffey on the Mount Taylor Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest. 

Resources on scene: U.S. Forest Service. 

SANTA FE, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management in New Mexico is selling fuelwood permits for personal use to the public. Fuelwood permits cost $5 - $20 per cord and are available in person at select locations and online. More information is available on the BLM New Mexico Wood Cutting Permits webpage. 

In almost all field offices, BLM fuelwood permits are valid for cutting only dead (down or standing) piñon and juniper (cedar). Cutting green trees or other trees not allowed by permit is strictly prohibited. Minimum and maximum cords for purchase vary by field office. Rules, regulations and timing vary slightly between field offices; please read all materials that accompany your permit.

Maps of open wood-cutting areas, along with all rules concerning fuelwood collection, will be available at the time of purchase. To access fuelwood area maps, please visit BLM New Mexico's frequently requested maps webpage

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) released a grant opportunity for Medicaid providers of obstetrician/gynecologist (Ob/Gyn) services and related infrastructure in Northwest New Mexico. 

The funding opportunity is designed to enhance access to Ob/Gyn care in Cibola, McKinley, San Juan, Valencia, and Catron counties. The Request for Application is open Medicaid-enrolled providers in those counties who serve Medicaid members. Applications are due 11:00 p.m. MT, Sept. 10, 2026. MT. Funding is available Oct. 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. 

CEDAR CREST, N.M. — A man sustained non-life-threatening injuries Wednesday morning after being bitten by a bear while walking his dogs in the Cedar Crest area.

Department of Wildlife conservation officers are currently on the scene investigating the incident and securing the area. The investigation is active and ongoing, and more information will be released to the public as it becomes available.

In light of this incident, the Department is issuing an urgent reminder to all residents and visitors to be "bear aware" while recreating in or near wildlife habitats. Encounters can happen unexpectedly, and knowing how to react is critical for public safety.

SAN ANTONIO, N.M. - White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) has planned road closures on U.S. 380 for Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

U.S. 380 will be blocked once beginning at 5 a.m., for approximately two hours and being lifted by 7 a.m. This block will affect U.S. 380 in the northern portion of the range at Gold Block (mile marker 3) and Silver Block (mile marker 49).

All roadblocks are subject to change without notice. For updates, call WSMR at 575-678-2221 or 575-678-2222, visit the New Mexico Department of Transportation at  www.nmroads.com  or call 511.

Washington, D.C., August 11, 2026-- The U.S. Forest Service today announced an alignment of national wildfire management authorities that strengthens operational efficiency and clarifies reporting roles across the agency. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz delivered the formal delegation of authority letter today, consolidating all fire and aviation authorities under the agency's Deputy Chief of Fire and Aviation Management, Safety, and Employee Wellbeing, a position currently held by Sarah Fisher. The delegation is effective immediately and implements Executive Order 14308 and Secretary Memorandum 1078-017. 

Under the delegation, all fire and aviation authorities outlined in Forest Service Manual 1230 (Delegations of Authority) and 5100 (Fire Management) are reassigned to the deputy chief, except where a specific delegation restricts the exercise of certain powers reserved to the chief. The action establishes distinct lines of authority and reduces administrative layers to support more efficient delivery of national wildfire response and aviation operations.