Non-Local News Releases

SANTA FE, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is selling fuelwood permits for personal use to the public. Fuelwood permits cost $5 - $20 per cord and are available in person at select locations and online.

In almost all field offices, BLM fuelwood permits are valid for cutting only dead (down or standing) piñon and juniper (cedar). Cutting green trees or other trees not allowed by permit is strictly prohibited. Minimum and maximum cords for purchase vary by field office. Rules, regulations and timing vary slightly between field offices; please read all materials that accompany your permit.

As part of the 2024 Spaceport America Open House, Virgin Galactic gave attendees a rare opportunity to get a glimpse of VSS Unity (pictured). Through its lifespan, VSS Unity embarked on 12 spaceflights, the last of which took place on June 8, 2024. Virgin Galactic's next iteration of spaceships, the Delta-class, are currently under construction in Arizona.

Spaceport America Holds Open House, Draws Nearly 2,000 to Site

In its first Open House event since 2019, Spaceport America saw almost 2,000 onlookers flock to its site in Sierra County on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024.

Attendees of the free event were treated to a glimpse at VSS Unity, Virgin Galactic's spaceship, in addition to talks and presentations from Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales, former NASA astronaut Nicole Stott, and others. Over 30 aircraft were on display as well.

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – October 31, 2024 – Today fire crews on the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands (NF & NG) successfully implemented the Tablazon prescribed fire (Rx) on the Sandia Ranger District. Weather conditions were favorable for ground ignitions. Fire crews accomplished blacklining of fuels along the control lines and burning of interior pockets on 82 acres of units 2 & 3 beginning at 9:30 AM this morning.
If conditions remain favorable tomorrow, crews will plan to continue with ignitions and burning operations on remaining units of the Tablazon RX fire project area.

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – October 31, 2024 – The Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands (NF & NGs) will proceed on implementation on the previously announced Tablazon prescribed fire (RX) on the Sandia Ranger District. This morning, fire crews have completed a successful test fire and verified that conditions are favorable for prescribed fire ignitions today, Thursday, October 31, 2024.

Fire crews plan to burn approximately 207 acres, split into different units in the Tablazon Canyon area, in the Manzanita Mountains. Tablazon is located south of HWY 333, south of Lower Pine trailhead and east of FSRD 462. Map attached. Visitors may be impacted by the Cedro, Bear Scat, Lower Pine, Tablazon and Coyote trails system.Smoke may be visible in the surrounding areas of Tijeras, Edgewood, Moriarty and Albuquerque.

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – October 30, 2024 –Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands (NF & NG) did not proceed on ignitions today for the Tablazon prescribed fire (RX) project on the Sandia Ranger District due to unfavorable conditions.

Fire managers will continue to assess conditions in the coming days to ensure they fall within the range outlined in the prescribed fire plan before proceeding with the Tablazon RX fire. A final decision to proceed with a prescribed fire depends on agency administrator approval, resource availability, and favorable conditions including fuel moisture levels, air quality and forecast weather. If conditions are not met, the decision will be made to postpone until favorable conditions allow for successful operations.

N.M. Delegation Welcomes Over $4 Million From the Infrastructure Law to Enhance Safety, Reduce Delays at Railway Crossings, and Grow Local Economies in Clovis and San Juan County

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) welcomed a combined $4,570,920 for two projects in New Mexico from the U.S. Department of Transportation to strengthen the nation's supply chain, reduce costs, and grow New Mexico's economy.

This fishing report, provided by the Department of Game and Fish in cooperation with Dustin Berg of www.gounlimited.org (“supporting disabled anglers”), has been generated from the best information available from area officers and anglers. Conditions encountered after the report is compiled may differ, as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Tell us about your latest New Mexico fishing adventure, or your catch of the week. Send it to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We may include your story in our next report. For catches of the week include: name, age, hometown, date, location, type of fish, length and weight if possible, and bait, lure or fly used. Fish weights and measurements are provided by the angler and printed here as received. Photos containing sensitive material may be altered or excluded at the Department's discretion.

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Program is pleased to announce the following 2024-2025 grant cycle awards totaling $162,700: 

OHV Education and Trail Safety Grants -  

• $20,000 to Region II Emergency Medical Services, Inc., to distribute newly developed public-safety media campaigns that will help reduce preventable pediatric traumatic brain injuries among young OHV operators in Doña Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna and Sierra counties. 

• $14,000 to the Red Rock Motorsports Club, Inc. of Gallup, New Mexico, to upgrade OHV park facilities and maintenance and erosion-mitigation projects at the City of Gallup’s Red Rock Motorsports Park.