Non-Local News Releases

recognized for service to NM agriculture and NM-ALIRT

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SOCORRO, N.M. – Two New Mexico veterinarians whose careers helped build the state's livestock emergency response system were honored Tuesday for decades of work protecting agriculture, rural communities and the food supply.

New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte presented the Secretary's Agriculture Legacy Award to Dr. Tim Hanosh and Dr. John Wenzel during the New Mexico Agriculture Livestock Incident Response Team (NM-ALIRT) conference in Socorro as the organization marks its 20th anniversary in 2026.

Sparks Fire, Crow Creek Fire - Final Updates

April 30, 2026 

The New Mexico Forestry Division would like to update you on two fires that are requiring the attention and state, county and local resources in New Mexico. This will be the final notification on these fires unless significant changes occur. 

Sparks Fire – Quay County – 4/30/26

Statewide, NM - State Police will be conducting sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols; and registration, insurance, and driver's license checkpoints in all New
Mexico counties during May 2026.

We are bringing awareness to these events to reduce impaired driving-related fatalities through continued media attention and intensive advertising.

These checkpoints are helping to change society's attitude about driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.

Crow Creek Fire - Colfax County - Wildfire Notification

April 29, 2026

Update: The Crow Creek Fire was discovered at 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29 near HWY 445 north of Maxwell in Colfax County. Resources are on scene and are implementing a full suppression strategy. The fire is active and making wind-driven runs north through grass fuels toward HWY 64. Structures are threatened, and resources are providing point protection. Air resources have been ordered to assist suppression efforts. Currently, the fire is estimated at 50-100 acres. 

Evacuations / Closures: HWY 64 is closed between Colfax Tavern and Raton Municipal Airport. The public should avoid travel on HWY 445. 

Update: Last night, increased relative humidity and decreased fire activity aided response efforts on the Sparks Fire. Crews made good progress beginning to establish fireline around the perimeter. Threatened residences received structure protection throughout the night. The fire is zero percent contained. 

Today, fire activity is minimal and exhibiting creeping and smoldering behavior. Crews will continue their full suppression strategy to secure the perimeter with the goal of increasing containment. Air attack is on scene to support operations. The fire's acreage grew to an estimate of 10,000 acres after an initial flyover this morning. However, ground crews will conduct more accurate mapping with GPS as operations allow. 

Sparks Fire - Quay County - Wildfire Notification

April 28, 2026

Update: The Sparks Fire was discovered at 3:20 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28 near HWY 156 in Quay County. Resources are on scene and attempting direct engagement using a full suppression strategy. The active fire is running, spotting and wind-driven, moving west to east through grass and piñon-juniper fuels. The area is remote and cell service is not readily available. Structures are threatened, and additional resources are arriving to engage. Currently, the fire is estimated at 1,500 acres. 

Evacuations / Closures: None in place at this time, however, local residents should avoid the area of HWY 156 near mm 41 north of Hassell.  

LAS CRUCES - White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) will have a planned road closure on US70 for Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

Highway 70 is scheduled to be blocked at 10:40 a.m. and will last approximately one hour, lifting around 11:40 a.m. This block will be located at Blue Block (2 miles east of the access road - Mile Marker 172) and Brown Block (located at Mile Marker 192).  San Augustin Pass and LC Gate are NOT affected. However, Nike Ave will be affected by this block.

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.

LAS CRUCES - White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) will have a planned road closure on US 70 for Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

Highway 70 is scheduled to be blocked at 1:25 p.m. and will last approximately one hour, lifting around 2:25 p.m. This block will be located at Blue Block (2 miles east of the access road - Mile Marker 172) and Brown Block (located at Mile Marker 192).  San Augustin Pass and LC Gate are NOT affected. However, Nike Ave will be affected by this block.

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.