Wildfire /tags/wildfire Wildfire en-US Copyright Wed, 26 Mar 2025 13:46:29 GMT How federal cuts threaten small town economies and elevate fire risks /local-news/2025-03-26/cuts-threaten-economies-elevate-fire-risks As the Southwest heads into peak fire season, the Trump Administration’s cuts to federal agencies are set to hit some local recreational economies hard – especially as conditions ripen for wildfire. Wed, 26 Mar 2025 13:46:29 GMT /local-news/2025-03-26/cuts-threaten-economies-elevate-fire-risks Bryce Dix Wildfire grants blaze through Roundhouse, but legal sparks remain /local-news/2025-03-04/wildfire-grants-pass-legal-sparks-remain The core of the law aims to put the money into people’s hands to “fire-proof” their homes. But some lawmakers worried it may violate New Mexico’s constitution. Tue, 04 Mar 2025 20:13:35 GMT /local-news/2025-03-04/wildfire-grants-pass-legal-sparks-remain Bryce Dix New Mexico eyes unique fix for escalating wildfire insurance costs /local-news/2025-02-18/new-mexico-eyes-escalating-wildfire-insurance-costs Fire insurance is becoming increasingly expensive and hard to come by in areas ravaged by wildfire in recent years. New Mexico’s lawmakers – and the governor – are hoping to tackle the problem with several proposals this legislative session, one of which is rarely seen in the insurance market. Tue, 18 Feb 2025 22:57:16 GMT /local-news/2025-02-18/new-mexico-eyes-escalating-wildfire-insurance-costs Bryce Dix New Mexico sends fire crews and engines to help fight LA blazes /local-news/2025-01-09/new-mexico-fire-crews-engines-fight-la-blazes As several fires continue to burn in the Los Angeles area, New Mexico deployed personnel and equipment to California Thursday. Thu, 09 Jan 2025 23:08:21 GMT /local-news/2025-01-09/new-mexico-fire-crews-engines-fight-la-blazes Nash Jones As more New Mexicans lose insurance, officials want more wildfire prevention funding /local-news/2024-08-20/new-mexicans-lose-insurance-wildfire-prevention-funding The New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurances is seeing a substantial increase in insurance providers canceling or not renewing coverage plans for homes in wildfire-prone areas. Tue, 20 Aug 2024 20:36:03 GMT /local-news/2024-08-20/new-mexicans-lose-insurance-wildfire-prevention-funding Bryce Dix State and federal officials urge Ruidoso-area residents to apply for disaster relief /local-news/2024-07-03/state-and-federal-officials-urge-ruidoso-area-residents-to-apply-for-disaster-relief State and federal officials held a virtual town hall Tuesday night to update victims of the South Fork and Salt Fires and subsequent flooding on available disaster assistance. Residents were encouraged to apply broadly and persevere through red tape as recovery gets underway. Thu, 04 Jul 2024 00:54:29 GMT /local-news/2024-07-03/state-and-federal-officials-urge-ruidoso-area-residents-to-apply-for-disaster-relief Nash Jones Indios Fire not expected to grow more as firefighting efforts near completion /local-news/2024-06-10/indios-fire-not-expected-to-grow-more-as-firefighting-efforts-near-completion The Indios Fire, which has been burning in the Santa Fe National Forest since May 19, is not expected to grow any larger, according to fire officials. As the fire dies down along with the complexity of the situation, command of the firefighting effort changed hands Monday from a regional team to a local one. Tue, 11 Jun 2024 00:28:28 GMT /local-news/2024-06-10/indios-fire-not-expected-to-grow-more-as-firefighting-efforts-near-completion Nash Jones New wildfire defense grant program at a snail’s pace as fire season looms /local-news/2024-04-03/new-wildfire-defense-grant-program-at-a-snails-pace-as-fire-season-looms Kim Wright, a retired nurse, volunteers with the Cimarron Watershed Alliance. A year ago she learned that the federal government was awarding more than $8 million to the alliance to help nine northern New Mexico communities better defend themselves against wildfire. Those communities are still awaiting signs of on-the-ground wildfire preparedness as fire season fast approaches. Thu, 04 Apr 2024 00:58:17 GMT /local-news/2024-04-03/new-wildfire-defense-grant-program-at-a-snails-pace-as-fire-season-looms Elizabeth Miller, New Mexico In Depth Western wildfires expected to intensify until the middle of the century /local-news/2023-11-14/western-wildfires-expected-to-intensify-until-the-middle-of-the-century The National Climate Assessment, which comes out every five years, finds fires are expected to get hotter, more destructive and more widespread. Tue, 14 Nov 2023 22:33:18 GMT /local-news/2023-11-14/western-wildfires-expected-to-intensify-until-the-middle-of-the-century Alice Fordham State introduces new prescribed burn training for landowners /news/2023-09-29/state-introduces-new-prescribed-burn-training-for-landowners Many private landowners and small organizations conduct controlled burns in New Mexico, but the federal guidelines can be of limited help to them. A new voluntary certification program called for by a 2021 law is now up and running to teach New Mexicans how to safely conduct a prescribed burn.kunm Fri, 29 Sep 2023 18:11:27 GMT /news/2023-09-29/state-introduces-new-prescribed-burn-training-for-landowners Megan Myscofski