Public Safety

McCauley Springs Fire Update: July 1, 2026

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PatRick crew mopping up along fireline June 29, 2026. Courtesy photo

USFS News:

Acres: 712

Containment: 43% 

Start Date: June 24, 2026

Location: Jemez Ranger District, east of Battleship Rock

Cause: Undetermined

Fuels: Timber, grass & understory, hardwood litter

Personnel: 386                                                

Highlights: Crews from the McCauley Springs Fire assisted local units in responding to a new start within the Valles Caldera National Preserve yesterday. The 6.8 acre Rendocito Fire near PC03 Road received water drops from helicopters, and an engine and three squads of hotshots were able to assist in quickly Read More

Forest Service Publishes Proposed Rule To Redefine, Streamline Guidance For Employees

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USFS News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Forest Service is inviting public comment on a proposed rule to modernize its directives system – the agency’s internal documentation that guides how employees carry out their work. The proposal would redefine the agency’s manual and handbooks to reduce procedural burdens, encourage innovation and return decision-making authority to employees closest to the land.

“Today, the Forest Service maintains more than 900 chapters of national guidance and thousands of additional regional and unit-level supplements,” Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz Read More

McCauley Spring Fire Update: June 30, 2026

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USFS News:

Acres: 712                                        

Containment: 43%                                     

Start Date: June 24, 2026

Location: Jemez Ranger District, east of Battleship Rock                   

Cause: Undetermined

Fuels: Timber, grass & understory, hardwood litter                                           

Personnel: 384                                                                                                                                              

Highlights: While the fire remains smoldering and creeping through dry fuels, suppression efforts Read More

Corporal Dustin Chavez Sworn In To LAPD Today

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Dustin Chavez is being sworn in as a new Police Officer to the Los Alamos Police Department by the Honorable Judge Catherine Taylor in a ceremony held in the Justice Center Monday morning. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Corporal Dustin Chavez signs the paperwork making the new job official. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Corporal Chavez’s wife, Sara Chavez pined on the new badge. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

The new Los Alamos Police officer Corporal Dustin Chavez. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com Read More

FBI: Albuquerque Man Pleads Guilty To Aiming Laser At Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — An Albuquerque man pleaded guilty to federal charges for aiming a laser pointer at a Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office helicopter and striking the cockpit over a dozen times.

According to public court documents, on October 7, 2025, Jorge Pinon Armendariz, 48, aimed a green laser pointer at the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Metro 1 helicopter while it was flying over Albuquerque. Armendariz struck the aircraft multiple times from two separate locations, including multiple strikes to the pilot’s eyes.

Using the aircraft’s onboard camera, the crew tracked the Read More

McCauley Springs Fire Update: June 29, 2026

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McCauley Springs fire map. Courtesy photo

USFS News:

Acres: 716                                        

Containment: 33%                                     

Start Date: June 24, 2026

Location: Jemez Ranger District, east of Battleship Rock                   

Cause: Undetermined

Fuels: Timber, grass & understory, hardwood litter                                           

Personnel: 398                                                                                                                                              

Highlights: Containment lines were tested during Read More

State Police Investigate OIS Involving Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Office

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NMSP News:

CHIMAYO — On June 25,2026, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was requested to investigate an officer-involved shooting involving the Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Office.

Agents learned on June 25, 2026, at approximately 7:01 p.m., Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Office (RASO) deputies responded to 748 State Road 76 in Chimayó in reference to a domestic disturbance.

The reporting party advised deputies that a male, identified as 60-year-old Derek Torres, was threatening to kill her and himself. The female reported that Torres was highly intoxicated and had physically Read More

McCauley Springs Fire Daily Update: Sunday June 28, 2026

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ASI Handcrew & Top Notch Forestry mopping up along Division Alpha near N.M. 4. Courtesy/firenet.gov

USFS News:

  • No new starts despite today’s Red Flag Warning 

Containment lines were secured and held Saturday during difficult weather conditions at the McCauley Springs Fire scene. Firefighters achieved containment along portions of N.M. 4 and continued to reinforce, secure, and mop up on the south edge of the fire.

A Red Flag Warning is in effect through 8 p.m. today and will test the work done to hold the fire’s edge.

Stage II Fire Restrictions remain in effect across the Santa Fe National Read More

NMDOT: Roadway Rehabilitation Project On US 64/84 In Tierra Amarilla Phase 2 To Start July 8

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NMDOT News:

TIERRA AMARILLA — Travelers in the Tierra Amarilla area may experience traffic delays as a roadway rehabilitation project on US 64/84 is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, July 8.

The project will span from milepost 171, just south of Brazos, to milepost 175.1, at the US 64/84 split, and is expected to take 10 days to complete, weather permitting.

The project will include the application of a micro seal solution to the roadway, followed by final striping. This structural pavement treatment will extend roadway life and improve safety for motorists.

Construction will take place 7 a.m. Read More