Non-Local News Releases

Forest Service Photo: Aviation support on Six Mile Fire on the Magdalena Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands. May 14, 2026Crews continue containment efforts ahead of critical fire weather

Acres: 341
Start Date: May 8, 2026
Cause: Undetermined
Containment: 84%
Personnel: 172
Fuels: Short Grass, brush, oak and pinyon/juniper

Location: 12 miles SE of Magdalena, NM. See map attached.

Operations: Firefighters continued making steady progress yesterday toward increasing containment on the fire. Contingency line preparation along Forest Road 235 is nearly complete, while work along the 70 Trail also continued. Suppression repair operations have begun in areas no longer threatened by active fire behavior.

Resources will remain patrolling the fireline and monitoring by air. As fire activity decreases, firefighters have also started removing equipment and supplies from remote areas of the fire in preparation for the demobilization of crews who have been staged near the fireline.

FBI Albuquerque is announcing the successful results of an undercover online chat investigation targeting child predators. The operation led to the arrest of fifteen individuals; all charged with crimes including child solicitation via electronic devices. Each defendant had sought to engage in sexual activity with a minor. 

FBI Albuquerque Child Exploitation & Human Traffick Task Force led this Operation with assistance from: NM Department of Justice, Albuquerque Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office, Santa Fe Police Department, 2nd Judicial District Attorney's Office, and the U.S. Attorney's Office-NM.

State on pace to treat 140,000 acres annually to reduce wildfire risk and protect watersheds

SANTA FE – New Mexico has launched a public dashboard tracking the state's real-time progress toward securing its water future, showing significant advances in restoring the forests and watersheds that supply the bulk of the state's surface water. 

The 50-Year Water Action Plan Implementation Dashboard provides a real-time window to monitor the state's progress addressing projected water shortages driven by drought and climate change. The plan is based on three pillars: conserving existing freshwater supplies, developing new water sources and protecting water quality. 

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: 

Line Fire / Mimms Fire

Quay County - Update

May 15, 2026 

The New Mexico Forestry Division would like to update you on wildfire activity that is requiring the attention of suppression resources in New Mexico, including the Line Fire and the Mimms Fire. 

Line Fire – Quay County

Crews continue containment efforts ahead of critical fire weather
Six Mile Fire Morning Update for May 15, 2026

Acres: 341
Start Date: May 8, 2026
Cause: Undetermined
Containment: 55%
Personnel: 246
Fuels: Short Grass, brush, oak and pinyon/juniper

Location: 12 miles SE of Magdalena, NM. See map attached.

Line Fire - Quay County - Wildfire Notification

May 14, 2026

The New Mexico Forestry Division would like to update you on wildfire activity that is requiring the attention of suppression resources in New Mexico, including the Line Fire, Mimms Fire and Haywood Fire.

Update: The Line Fire was discovered at approximately 6 p.m. Thursday, May 14 near HWY 54 south of Nara Visa in Quay County. Resources are on scene and are implementing a full suppression strategy. The fire is active in grass fuels, exhibiting extreme fire behavior and making wind-driven runs north toward Nara Visa. Evacuations are in place for the town of Nara Visa. The fire has crossed the New Mexico state border into Texas. Structures are threatened and crews are providing point protection within the area. Air resources are currently assisting suppression efforts. Currently, the fire is estimated at 10,000 acres.

Closures: HWY 54 is closed at the state line.

Forest Service Photo: Aviation support on Six Mile Fire on the Magdalena Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands. May 11, 2026Suppression efforts lead to 24% containment

MAP Below article

Acres: 341
Start Date: May 8, 2026
Cause: Undetermined
Containment: 24%
Personnel: 296
Fuels: Short Grass, brush, oak and pinyon/juniper

Location: 12 miles SE of Magdalena, NM. See map attached.

Operations: Crews continued structure assessment and preparation work around the Langmuir Observatory yesterday and will remain engaged in those efforts today. Firefighters are also preparing the 370 Trail corridor off Forest Service Road 325, working south toward the Sawmill Fire scar to strengthen contingency options and improve potential containment features.
Crews assigned to the fire continued securing portions of the fire perimeter using direct suppression tactics in steep, remote terrain. With elevated fire weather conditions forecasted across the region, fire managers are evaluating resource needs and identifying personnel and equipment that may be reassigned from remote sections of the fireline to support response capability for any potential new fire starts.