Non-Local News Releases

Deer Canyon Fire -
Torrance County - Update

June 21, 2026
 

Update: Yesterday, crews provided structure protection while air resources provided suppression with retardant drops. Overnight, all retardant lines held, and the fire's extreme activity moderated. Acreage was updated to 117 after more accurate mapping.

Today, crews and dozers are working to develop containment lines and continuing to provide structure protection. No structures have been impacted, but multiple structures are still threatened. All of Deer Canyon subdivision is now on evacuation orders.

Deer Canyon Fire
Torrance County - Wildfire Notification

June 20, 2026

The New Mexico Forestry Division would like to update you on a wildfire that is requiring the attention of suppression resources in New Mexico.

Update: The Deer Canyon Fire was discovered at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 20 in the Deer Canyon subdivision south of Mountainair. The fire is exhibiting extreme behavior, is active and crowning in piñon-juniper and grass fuels. Crews are providing point protection, and air resources are on scene providing support. Structures are threatened, and evacuations are in place. The fire is estimated at 350 acres and is zero percent contained.

New Fire Start on Sandia Ranger District

Osha Canyon Fire – North Sandia Mountain Wilderness 

(Albuquerque, NM – June 19, 2026) — Fire resources are actively responding to suppress the Osha Canyon Fire within the northern Sandia Mountain Wilderness on the Sandia Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands. 

Aerial resources responding to include a type 1 helicopter and large air tanker. Ground crews to conduct direct extinguishment strategies following air operations.

Reported start date / Time: June 19, 2026 / 1322

Cause: Undetermined.

Size: Estimate 1/2 acre.

Containment: 0%

Location: Northern Sandia Mountain Wilderness south of Placitas, west of FSR 165 within the Sandia Ranger District on the Cibola National Forest, New Mexico.

SANTA FE, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management today announced an oil and gas lease sale scheduled for August 19, 2026, to offer 26 oil and gas parcels totaling 20,334 acres in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

The BLM completed scoping on these parcels in March 2026 and held a public comment period that closed in May 2026 on the parcels and the related environmental analysis. A 30-day public protest period to receive additional public input opened today and will close July 20, 2026.

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, N.M. — State Senator Crystal Brantley (SD-35) is applauding the New Mexico Public School Capital Outlay Council's approval of a three-phase capital outlay award to replace Truth or Consequences Middle School and its associated JROTC facilities, calling the decision a long-overdue win for Sierra County students.

Senator Brantley has worked for several years to advance the project, including coordinating with the Legislative Finance Committee to evaluate the school's condition and advising the district on how to meet PSCOC funding requirements.

Big Rosa Fire Contained
on Magdalena Ranger District

Withington Wilderness – San Mateo Mountains  

(Albuquerque, NM – June 18, 2026) — Yesterday firefighters responded to an aviation detected wildfire in eastern Withington Wilderness within the San Mateo Mountains. Ground crews located 2 lightning-struck trees. Firefighters actively engaged the fire to stop fire spread using direct extinguishment strategy. Crews remained on scene through the night and will continue to monitor conditions today.

Reported start date / Time: June 17, 2026 / 1252

Cause: Lightning.

Size: Estimate 1/10 acre.

Containment: 100%

LAS CRUCES — White Sands Missile Range has scheduled a road closure on U.S. 70 for Thursday, June 18.

U.S. 70 will be blocked one time beginning at 8:05 a.m. This block will last approximately one hour, with the closure lifting by 9:05 a.m. The closure will be located at the Blue Block, 2 miles east of the access road at mile marker 172, and at the Brown Block at mile marker 192.

San Augustin Pass and the LC Gate will not be affected. However, Nike Avenue will be affected by the closure.
All roadblocks are subject to change without notice. For updates, call White Sands Missile Range at 575-678-2221 or 575-678-2222, visit the New Mexico Department of Transportation at www.nmroads.com or call 511.

SANTA FE, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management accepted winning bids on 47 parcels in New Mexico totaling 152,381.49 acres for $16,581,926 in total receipts for a geothermal lease sale. The BLM may issue leases once review and payment are complete. The combined bonus bids, rentals, and subsequent royalties from the leases will be distributed between the U.S. Treasury, the State of New Mexico and the counties where the leases are located. 

Geothermal lease sales support domestic energy production and American energy independence, while contributing to the nation's economic and military security. Consistent with Executive Order 14154, "Unleashing American Energy," the BLM's geothermal lease sales help meet the energy needs of U.S. citizens, will solidify the nation as a global energy leader long into the future, and achieve American Energy Dominance.