Environment

Robinson: Red Tape & Indifference Slow Disaster Recovery

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 13, 2025

By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2025 New Mexico News Services

Exactly one day before the Rio Ruidoso swelled from 18 inches to 20 feet of death and destruction, Mayor Lynn Crawford told legislators that money they approved for disaster recovery is bottled up.

“The process is broke,” he said. “What you passed, we don’t have access to.”

The Village of Ruidoso is still rebuilding from last year’s fires and floods, reported Source New Mexico. Crawford told a July 7 meeting of the interim legislative Economic and Rural Development and Policy Committee that Ruidoso spent $16.8 million on repairs Read More

Posts From The Road: Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 13, 2025

Listen To Me: A female elephant seal appears to be barking orders at a young male seal that does not seem to be hearing much! The male elephant seal has a nose that resembles a short elephant trunk called a ‘proboscis’ – thus the name elephant seal. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com

Just Another Day At the Beach: Elephant seals lie in groups scattered about the beach at Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery when we visited the area in May. These are almost all female seals with a few younger male seals mixed in during the molting season. Molting takes about a month, and then the female seals will depart Read More

Fr. Glenn: Do Likewise

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 13, 2025

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

As I scroll through the pictures of devastation wrought by the flood in Texas, many things go through my mind. First of all, there is the obvious: the tremendous power of nature unleashed—houses wrecked, vehicles tumbled, bridges collapsing. And so many lives—many of them just begun—gone. It is only the hardest of hearts that could not sympathize with an anguished heart, the sufferers’ plight, especially that of parents whose little ones are no longer here … and have not even been found.

Sadly, in a flood such as that with the many tons of debris and silt it carries with it, many Read More

LANL: First Comprehensive Study Finds New Mexicans Likely Among Most At-Risk Populations For Valley Fever

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 13, 2025

A new study finds that Valley fever, a fungal disease that is contracted when infected soil is inhaled, is present in New Mexico. People most at risk are those who live in dry, dustier areas of the state that are prone to dust storms. Courtesy/Dreamstime.com

LANL News:

  • Evidence of the fungal disease found in Catron, Doña Ana, Sierra and Socorro counties, with the most reported in the northwest and southwest part of the state

The first comprehensive study of Valley fever in New Mexico found that people in the state are likely among the most at-risk populations for the disease in the United States. Read More

County Utilities Board To Meet In Council Chambers July 16

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 13, 2025

COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County Board of Public Utilities is scheduled to meet 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building, 1000 Central Ave.

View Agenda here.

The meeting is open to the public in person.

Members of the public may also participate remotely and provide public comment via Zoom.

Webinar Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85828927209

Webinar ID: 858 2892 7209

Phone one-tap:

+14086380968,,85828927209# US (San Jose)

+16694449171,,85828927209# US

Join via audio:

+1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)

+1 669 444 9171 US

+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

+1 719 359 Read More

Laguna Wildfire Update: Monastery Of Christ In The Desert Moves To Evacuation ‘Set’ Status & Gallinas Ranch To ‘Go’

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 13, 2025

SFNF News:

The Santa Fe National Forest has released the update for July 12 on the Laguna Wildfire, which has consumed 16,634 acres in the Coyote Ranger District, 8 miles north of N.M. 96 and west of the Chama River Canyon Wilderness.

Rio Arriba County Information: Due to the growth on the Laguna Wildfire Saturday, Rio Arriba County is implementing “set” status for the Monastery of Christ in the Desert and “go” status for Gallinas Ranch. These areas are near Forest Service Roads 151 and 434 within Chama Canyon where the Rio Chama and the Rio Gallinas intersect. Set Status describes being prepared Read More

Game & Fish: Public Comment On License Vendor Fees

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 12, 2025

NMDGF News:

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) is seeking public comment regarding potential changes to fees currently charged by hunting and fishing license vendors.

Currently, all license vendors, including the Department, charge a fee of $1 per license sold. The passage of Senate Bill 5 by the New Mexico State Legislature during its 2025 session enables license collectors to “collect and retain a vendor fee for each license or permit issued; provided that the fee shall be just and reasonable; as determined by regulation of the State Wildlife Commission”.

The Department Read More

Hanging Flower Baskets Brighten Downtown Los Alamos

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 12, 2025

Hanging flower baskets decorate light poles and brighten the area Thursday along Central Avenue. The County contracts with Los Alamos Landscaping & More to install and maintain the flower baskets from spring into fall throughout the downtown area. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com Read More

Laguna Wildfire Consumes 11,334 Acres At 87% Contained

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 12, 2025

Fire crews working on the Laguna Wildfire. Courtesy/SFNF

Map of the Laguna Wildfire closure area. Courtesy/SFNF

SFNF News:

The update Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) issued for Thursday indicates that the Laguna Wildfire has burned 11,334 acres in the Coyote Ranger District, 8 miles north of N.M. 96 and west of the Chama River Canyon Wilderness.

Update:

  • Start Date: June 25, 2025
  • Completion: 87%
  • Personnel: 174
  • Fuels: Oak brush, ponderosa pine, pinyon-juniper
  • Resources: 3 hotshot crews, 1 Type 2 Initial Attack crew, 2 suppression modules, 7 engines and 3 water tenders (2 support; 1 tactical).
Read More

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Seeks Help For Ruidoso Victims

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 12, 2025

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:

  • “Let’s help Ruidoso rebuild”.

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich met Friday with emergency managers and local leadership in Ruidoso.

“We’re all strategizing on the path forward, and how to best help the community as it rebuilds from the devastating floods this week,” Sen. Heinrich said. “I’m reaching out to ask for your support. Let’s all step up for our neighbors and lend a helping hand. If you’re able to make a monetary donation, you can do so right here. If you’re local, here’s a list of donation and distribution sites in the area. 

“Thank you in advance for Read More

Department Of Game And Fish Seeks Public Comment Regarding License Vendor Fees

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 11, 2025

NMDGF News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is seeking public comment regarding potential changes to fees currently charged by hunting and fishing license vendors.

Currently, all license vendors, including the Department, charge a fee of $1 per license sold. The passage of Senate Bill 5 by the New Mexico State Legislature during its 2025 session enables license collectors to “collect and retain a vendor fee for each license or permit issued; provided that the fee shall be just and reasonable; as determined by regulation of the State Wildlife Commission.”  Read More

Los Alamos County Animal Control Urges Caution As Rattlesnake Activity Increases Around Community

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 11, 2025

COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County Animal Control officials urge residents to use caution when outdoors, as seasonal climate conditions and recent sightings indicate an increase in rattlesnake activity.

“Rattlesnakes play an important role in the local ecosystem but can pose a danger when startled or provoked,” Animal Control Supervisor Theresa Phelan said. “Awareness and simple precautions can go a long way in preventing incidents.”

Phelan provided the following safety tips for avoiding snake encounters while outdoors:

  • Stay on trails and avoid tall weeds or underbrush.
  • Wear boots and
Read More

Laguna Wildfire Update: July 11

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 11, 2025

Fire Crews on the Laguna Wildfire. Courtesy/SFNF

SFNF News:

Acres: 11,334

Start Date: 6/25/2025

Completion: 87 %

Location: Located in the Coyote Ranger District, 8 miles north of New Mexico State Road 96 and west of the Chama River Canyon Wilderness.

Personnel: 174

Fuels: Oak brush, ponderosa pine, pinyon-juniper

Resources: 3 hotshot crews, 1 Type 2 Initial Attack crew, 2 suppression modules, 7 engines, 3 water tenders (2 support; 1 tactical)

Highlights: Fire crews continued coordinated strategic firing operations by utilizing both hand and aerial ignition. Fire crews added additional Read More

Governor Secures Federal Resources For Ruidoso Disaster

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on July 10, 2025

From the Office of the Governor: 

          • State works with federal partners for additional financial assistance

SANTA FE – The state of New Mexico today received partial approval for a federal emergency declaration for flood-damaged communities, providing immediate federal personnel resources to support response and recovery efforts in Ruidoso while work continues to secure additional federal assistance.

“This federal declaration is a critical first step, but it’s not everything Ruidoso needs and deserves,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “We will continue working with the federal Read More

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