Non-Local News Releases

Update: Fire response crews succeeded in stopping forward progression of the Old 66 Fire yesterday evening, and containment today is at 50%. The fire's acreage is 4,111 acres after more accurate mapping.

Crews are engaged in mop-up actions on the north and southeast sides of the fire footprint and will work to extinguish interior heat. One structure was impacted by the fire, but the threat to structures has now passed for the area. Local residents should take caution and avoid the area as crews are still engaged in suppression activities. This will be the final notification on this incident unless there are significant changes.

The Old 66 Fire was discovered at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, March 27 east of San Jon, north of Interstate 40 in Quay County. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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 Old 66 Fire was discovered at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, March 27 east of San Jon, north of Interstate 40 in Quay County. The fire is active and wind driven from the northeast and moving through grass. Structures are threatened and smoke is visible from I-40 and the surrounding areas. State and local resources are engaging and utilizing full suppression tactics. 

PECOS — The Benedictine Monastery Lake, near the village of Pecos, has been freshly stocked with trout and has reopened for fishing.

The Benedictine Monastery Lake is part of the New Mexico Department of Wildlife's Open Gate Program. Please visit the Department's website for more information about this property.

If you are planning a fishing trip this spring, the Department has several tools available to help you. The Weekly Fishing Report provides up-to-date information on fishing conditions at numerous waterbodies across the state. The Fishing Conditions and Trip Planner is full of graphs depicting fishing conditions for several species and waterbodies throughout the year.

Highlights: Containment lines on the Unified Fire held up to tests from higher winds yesterday, raising containment to 50%. Today, fire crews will continue suppression activities as well as rehabilitation efforts within the affected area. This will be the final notification on the Unified Fire unless significant changes occur. 

Update: Today, fire suppression crews will continue to search for interior heat to extinguish within the Unified Fire footprint and build depth to containment lines along the fire's edge. Crews will continue to remove hazardous trees for the safety of firefighters and the public. Resource advisors are conducting surveys within the fire area and along the perimeter to assess for suppression repair needs. Weather forecasts predict increased east-southeast wind gusts of 25-40 mph and the potential for blowing dust. Threats to nearby homes have passed, however the public should continue to avoid the bosque area while crews continue suppression activities through the weekend 

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: 

I-10 Bridge Deck Repairs, Mile Marker 102 to 105, Deming/AkelaHW2M700118

Elephant Butte Lake: Andrew Luna, Bryant Michael Tafoya, Rodney Morton and Nathan Jones caught an abundance of white bass while trolling diving Rapala crankbaits on March 22. "The fishing was non-stop action," Andrew said. "This day, we weren't fishermen — we were catchermen!"

Elephant Butte Lake: Aaron Brewer caught this largemouth bass using a creature bait on March 22.

Highlights: Yesterday, fire crews were able to extinguish interior smoke and widen and improve control lines across the four divisions of the Unified Fire, raising containment to 25%. More accurate mapping downsized the fire's acreage to 300 acres. 

Update: Hand crews, engines, dozers and air resources operated successfully yesterday to widen and improve control lines on the Unified Fire, increasing containment to 25%. Winds were low, and minimal smoke was present. Fellers were able to remove hazard trees within burned portions on the south division of the fire. A type-1 helicopter performed successful rounds of bucket drops to deliver water into the tree canopy in areas where interior heat was present. 

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2026 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for various raw beef and pork products that were produced without the benefit of federal inspection and may bear a false mark of inspection. Food produced without inspection may contain undeclared allergens, harmful bacteria, or other contaminants that put consumer health and safety at risk. FSIS is continuing to investigate and may add additional products to this alert as more information is obtained.

The beef and pork items were produced from April 2024 through March 2026. The following products subject to the public health alert are [view labels]: