Non-Local News Releases

September 11th Update on Whiskey Fire
Manzano Mountain Wilderness – Mountainair Ranger District

Albuquerque, NM – September 11, 2026 — With hot and dry weather continuing into the weekend, resources remain actively engaged on suppression efforts on the Whiskey Fire within the Manzano Mountain Wilderness of the Mountainair Ranger District.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. In order to facilitate safe and efficient suppression efforts the public is asked to avoid the fire areas and adjoining trails.
Notice: Privately owned aircraft and 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!

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: 

Public comments for proposed uranium mine will be accepted for 30 days 

(Albuquerque, NM, September 11, 2026) —The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service submitted a notice of intent for publication in the Federal Register to prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed Roca Honda Mine Project in the Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands.

This action initiates a 30-day public comment period on the proposed action, substantive issues to be analyzed, and anticipated permits and other authorizations. The Roca Honda Mine Project is a Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act – Title 41 (FAST-41) Transparency Project.

ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico's military community will be honored at the New Mexico State Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 15, as veterans, military retirees, National Guard and Reserve members and active-duty service members receive free admission for Military & Veterans Day.

Presented by the New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services and the New Mexico National Guard, the special day honors the men and women who have served or continue to serve New Mexico and the nation in the U.S. armed forces.

The State Fair is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Currently serving active-duty, National Guard and Reserve service members, military retirees and veterans receive free admission by presenting a valid Uniformed Services ID Card, VA health care identification card or veteran-designated driver's license.

Upcoming Events

• Sept. 12: Fly Fishing 101 at Eagle Nest Lake State Park; click here for more information

• Sept. 18-19: Women in the Outdoors Archery Bow Shoot Weekend at Sacramento Mountain Resort; click here for more information

• Sept. 19: ATV Safety Course at Los Lunas River Park; click here for more information

• Sept. 19: Glow-in-the-Dark Clay Target Shoot in Clovis; click here for more information

September 9th Update on Whiskey Fire
Manzano Mountain Wilderness – Mountainair Ranger District

Albuquerque, NM – September 9, 2026 — Resources are actively engaged on suppression efforts for the Whiskey Fire within the Manzano Mountain Wilderness of the Mountainair Ranger District.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. In order to facilitate safe and efficient suppression efforts the public is asked to avoid the fire areas and adjoining trails.

Notice: Privately owned aircraft and 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!

This article talks about the issues Arizona residents are having with getting insurance for their properties. They are similar to what some New  Mexicans are facing.

https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/rising-wildfire-threats-leave-rural-arizona-residents-struggling-find-insurance 

In response from the previous email regarding the Az fire article, Grant County Emergency Manager Scot Fuller received the following information the Fire Program Manager at Northern Arizona University School of Forestry. In the articles there are proposed solutions and answers from experts on the insurance crisis resulting from wildfire. The links also contain a fact sheet that outlines presentations and the Q&A session from the 2025 Arizona Wildland Urban Interface Summit.

Santa Fe, NM — Senate Republican Leader Bill Sharer (R-Farmington) today delivered a sharp rebuke of what he called a pattern of abuse of power, self-dealing, and self-serving leadership among sitting Democrat lawmakers, pointing to multiple separate, ongoing matters as evidence that accountability inside the Democrat-controlled Legislature has broken down.

"New Mexicans are watching a Democrat Party that talks endlessly about ethics and accountability while tolerating exactly the opposite from its own members," Senator Sharer said. "Whether it's misusing taxpayer-funded resources, drunkenly disturbing hotel guests while running around naked on a taxpayer-funded trip, leadership acting abusively, or lawmakers allegedly directing state funds for personal gain, the common thread is the same: Democrat lawmakers protecting other Democrat lawmakers, all at the public's expense."