Public Safety

Update: Tusas Fire In San Miguel County April 25, 2026

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NMFD News:

Highlights: Friday, fire crews made good progress completing handline around the perimeter of the Tusas Fire, helping to raise containment to 39%. Road closures and Ready, Set, Go statuses have been lifted but the public should proceed with caution, as firefighting operations continue on NM 266 and the surrounding area.

Operations: Today, fire crews will focus their efforts on mop-up, which means extinguishing or removing burning material near firelines. Hot spots are still active within the interior, and smoke may be visible. 

Resources will evaluate suppression Read More

New Mexico Supreme Court Rejects Utility’s Request To Retroactively Recover Losses From Rates

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State Supreme Court News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled Friday that an electric utility cannot recover losses it experienced under rates that were later invalidated on appeal.

In a unanimous opinion, New Mexico’s highest court upheld a decades-old legal precedent that prohibits retroactive ratemaking. The justices concluded that El Paso Electric Company (EPE) “has not shown sufficiently compelling reasons for overruling this Court’s retroactive ratemaking precedent.”

The Court affirmed the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission’s (PRC) denial of a proposal by EPE Read More

Los Alamos Firefighters Assisting With Riverside Fire In Española

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COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD) crews responded to assist with firefighting efforts for the Riverside Fire in Española, which began Friday evening, April 24, 2026.

As of 9 a.m. today, April 25, the fire was estimated at 100 acres, and firefighting efforts are ongoing.

Reports came in shortly before 9 p.m. that firefighters were responding to a large brush fire in the area of N. Riverside Drive and W. Pueblo. LAFD responded with two crews and two brush trucks, working into the early morning hours. Crews made good progress and will continue firefighting efforts while closely Read More

Tusas Fire Update: April 24, 2026

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NMFD News:

Highlights: Thursday, fire crews used a bulldozer to construct new fireline and continued strengthening existing lines to reduce the potential for spot fires within the Tusas Fire perimeter.

The Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management team, led by Incident Commander Steven Griego, took command of the fire on Friday, April 24, from the New Mexico Forestry Division ad-hoc incident management team. Road closures in the area are still in effect; however, residents of NM 266 are allowed to return. Previous evacuation zones have all been downgraded to Ready status, including Read More

DEA Take Back Day Tomorrow—Find Nearest Location

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DEA News:

Unused medications left at home can increase the risk of accidental poisoning and substance misuse. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Take Back Day offers you a safe way to get rid of these dangers.

DEA Take Back Day takes place tomorrow, April 25, starting at 10 a.m. Drop-off locations nationwide are available for you to safely dispose of any expired, unused, or unwanted prescription medications.

You can use DEA’s collection site locator to find your nearest location. Help protect your family and community by spreading the word about safe, responsible disposal. Read More

FBI-Albuquerque Is Partnering With FAA, Albuquerque Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, And U.S. DOJ To Encourage Community To Learn More About Drone Safety

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FBI News:

Drone Safety Day is the FAA’s annual campaign dedicated to educating the drone community on the importance of safe and responsible drone operations. This nation-wide one-day event highlights how the FAA and the drone community work together to safely integrate drones into the National Airspace System, transforming the way we live and work.

The FAA launched the annual campaign in 2019 to bring attention to drone safety and best practices. Safety is a shared responsibility that requires the community and the FAA to work together. 

Every day more people are using drones, which means Read More

McQuiston: Northern New Mexico 2026 Fire Season Outlook

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By ALLEN MCQUISTON
Jemez Insurance Agency
Serving Los Alamos Since 1963
If you’ve felt like winter never really showed up this year, you re not imagining it—and that’s exactly why fire officials are paying close attention right now.
A Season Starting Earlier Than Usual
In New Mexico, fire season typically runs from March through June, with the most dangerous window landing in April and May before the monsoon arrives. 
This year, though, conditions are lining up for a season that started early and could run hotter than normal.
Across the Four Corners region, fire danger is already showing up 
Read More

State Police Investigates OIS Involving U.S. Marshals Service

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NMSP News: 

DEMING – On April 23, 2026, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was requested to investigate an officer-involved shooting involving the United States Marshals Service (USMS).

On Thursday, April 23, 2026, members of the United States Marshals Service (USMS) were involved in an officer involved shooting incident while attempting to apprehend fugitives who were wanted on various child sex crimes. The fugitives, identified as Joseph McDowell (44), and Cassondra Sauber (42) were wanted on nationwide extradition warrants.

McDowell was wanted on the following: Read More

Consumer Drones Are Keeping Firefighters Grounded

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While unauthorized drones in restricted airspace can halt firefighting air operations, the Forest Service is increasingly incorporating uncrewed aerial systems in wildfire operations. From 2019 to 2025 the Forest Service has increased drone flights by 2,483% on active incidents. Forest Service photo by Dirk Giles

USFS News:

Drones, also referred to as uncrewed aerial systems or UAS, have been increasingly complicating airspace around wildfires since the first consumer models came to market in 2013.

These mechanical critters of the sky are a nuisance to wildland firefighting when they Read More