Non-Local News Releases

Many over-the-counter hunting options remain available

SANTA FE – The Labor Day weekend seems to mark the unofficial end of summer, however, the New Mexico Department of Wildlife reminds New Mexicans that there are many opportunities in the fall to get out and create memories with friends and family.

Those who were not successful in the draw are encouraged to take advantage of the Department's many over-the-counter hunting opportunities.

A valid game hunting license allows hunters to pursue dove and other small-game species, including quail, grouse and pheasant. There are also may opportunities to hunt big-game species including javelina, Barbary sheep, cougar, bear and fall turkey hunts.

September 3rd Update on
Whiskey Fire-Mountainair, NM

Mountainair, NM – September 03, 2026 – A brief increase in fire activity occurred within the interior of the Whiskey Fire early this afternoon as flames moved through a stand of trees, producing a visible column of smoke. The activity was short-lived and quickly subsided, with the fire returning to predominantly low-intensity, smoldering conditions.

Reported Date / Time: August 21, 2026 / 1350. Reported by Capilla Peak Lookout.
Cause: Lightning. Size: 393 acres Containment: 19% Personnel: 98

In response to Representative Andrea Romero's most recent statement regarding her use of the Epstein Truth Commission's taxpayer-funded PR firm for a personal employment matter, Representatives Bill Hall and Andrea Reeb issued the following statement:

"It is breathtaking that Representative Romero would claim all Commission members signed off on this, because that is simply false. We did not approve the press release, we did not authorize the Commission's taxpayer-funded PR firm to advocate for Representative Romero on her personal employment controversy, and we only learned about it when it was reported by the media.

Senate Republican Leader Demands that Rep. Romero Step Down as Truth Commission Chair and Resign from Office, Files Ethics Commission Complaint Citing Criminal Activity

Santa Fe, NM — Senate Republican Leader Bill Sharer (R-Farmington) today called on Representative Andrea Romero (D-Santa Fe) to immediately step down as chair of the legislative Truth Commission investigating Jeffrey Epstein's ties to New Mexico, and to resign her seat in the House of Representatives, following new revelations about her unethical and blatantly illegal conduct and actions in office.

Sharer announced that he has formally filed an administrative complaint with the New Mexico State Ethics Commission, alleging that Romero improperly used taxpayer funds appropriated to the Truth Commission to pay a contractor to conduct research and draft press and social media statements to manage the political fallout from her separate, unlawful employment at the First Judicial District Attorney's Office.

[Editor's Note: This is the best I could do. I'll ry better tomorrow, but I've had a major tech problem that has exhausted me!]


Mountainair, NM – September 02, 2026 – Fire activity has remained low following Monday’s precipitation, with infrared reconnaissance detecting only a few scattered interior hotspots. Remaining activity is primarily limited to isolated pockets of smoldering heavy dead and down fuels within the fire perimeter, with little to no active fire spread.
Reported Date / Time: August 21, 2026 / 1350. Reported by Capilla Peak Lookout.
Cause: Lightning. Size: 393 acres Containment: 19% Personnel: 123
Location: Steep terrain north of Osha Peak, south of Capilla Peak and west of the Manzano Crest Trail in the Manzano Mountain Wilderness within the Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.
Fuels: Mixed conifer. Fire Behavior: Low
Operations: An Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) equipped with infrared cameras conducted a reconnaissance flight over the Whiskey Fire, identifying several areas of residual heat within the fire perimeter. Incident command personnel also completed an aerial reconnaissance flight to assess current smoke and fire activity and evaluate conditions across the incident.
With fire activity remaining minimal, hand crews maintained an observation status while incident leadership evaluated objectives, resource needs, and the operational glidepath for the coming days. Fireline construction on the New Canyon side of the fire has been completed, and crews have begun rehabilitating trails affected by suppression preparation work. Dozers and water tenders continue working along Trigo Springs Road to repair extensive washouts and restore access following recent rainfall.
The Cerro and Blanco fires have both been declared 100% contained.
Smoke may be visible from Belen, Bosque Farms, El Cerro Mission, Las Maravillas, Los Lunas, Manzano, Meadow Lake, Mountainair, Peralta, Rio Communities, Torreon, and Valencia.
Area, Road and Trail Closure Order in effect for National Forest System (NFS) lands surrounding the Whiskey Fire (03-03-04-26-18). Road closure barricades are on Trigo Springs Road for road improvement operations. Review the closure orders here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/alerts.
Weather for Mountainair, NM (September 2, 2026) Warm and dry conditions are expected around Mountainair today, September 2, with highs near 87°F and minimum RH around 23%. West winds around 5–10 mph are expected, with limited thunderstorm activity. Crews should anticipate the driest and most active burning conditions during the afternoon, with generally favorable weather for suppression operations.
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!”

About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.

Santa Fe — In less than eight months, the custom-built outreach vehicle designed to bring veterans services directly to rural communities has traveled to all 33 counties, reaching more than 400 veterans and family members along the way.

The New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services (NMDVS) Mobile Outreach Vehicle reached its 33rd county late August with a stop at the Chaves County Joy Center in Dexter, completing its first statewide tour after visiting 55 communities since its Jan. 30 launch at Jemez Pueblo.

"Reaching every county in New Mexico reflects our commitment to meeting veterans where they are, especially in rural and tribal communities," said NMDVS Cabinet Secretary Jamison Herrera. "By bringing access to services directly into these communities, we are making it easier for veterans and their families to get the assistance they need to access the benefits they earned"

Substantial precipitation over the fire aids crews in firefighting efforts.

Mountainair, NM – September 01, 2026 – The Whiskey Fire received approximately three-quarters of an inch of rain Monday evening and overnight, significantly reducing fire activity across the incident. The precipitation dampened fuels and strengthened previously constructed fireline, allowing firefighters to declare portions of the fire perimeter contained.

Reported Date / Time: August 21, 2026 / 1350. Reported by Capilla Peak Lookout.
Cause: Lightning. Size: 380 acres Containment: 11% Personnel: 117

Location: Steep terrain north of Osha Peak, south of Capilla Peak and west of the Manzano Crest Trail in the Manzano Mountain Wilderness within the Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.

New app gives customers an easier way to manage their electric account

(Albuquerque, NM) – PNM has launched the new 'PNM Mobile' app for iPhone and Android, giving customers a convenient way to manage their PNM account anytime, anywhere. The app is designed to make it easier for customers to stay informed, monitor their energy use, and access key services directly from their phone.

The PNM Mobile app allows customers to make payments, manage autopay, enroll in budget billing, and view bill and payment history. Customers can also track their energy usage throughout the month, report outages, and view updates on restoration status. The app includes tools to update account preferences, set notification preferences, and provides access to helpful resources that make it easier to manage their PNM account.