Torrance County Emergency Management

09/01/2026

~~~September Happenings~~~

Torrance County Local Emergency Planning Committee Meeting 9/22/2026. 9:00am, 205 S 9th Street, Estancia (and on zoom)

Emergency Resource Partners of Torrance County Volunteer Meeting 9/24/2026. 5:30pm, 753 Salt Mission Trail, McIntosh.

All are welcome to attend either meeting!

08/27/2026

August 27, 2026 Update on
Whiskey/Blanco/Cerro Wildfires
Mountainair Ranger District - Cibola National Forest
Mountainair, New Mexico

Resources are actively engaged on suppression efforts for three wildfires burning within the Manzano Mountains of the Mountainair Ranger District.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. In order to facilitate safe and efficient suppression efforts the public is asked to avoid the fire areas and adjoining trails.
Drones pose a serious risk to firefighting and can cause air operations to cease. The public is reminded that “If you fly, we can’t!”

Mountainair Ranger District- Manzano Mountain Wilderness: Whiskey Fire (Update)
Reported Date / Time: August 21, 2026 / 1350.
Reported by Capilla Peak Lookout.
Cause: Lightning.
Size: 60 acres
Location: Steep terrain north of Osha Peak, south of Capilla Peak and west of the Manzano Crest Trail in the Manzano Mountain Wilderness within the Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.
Resources: U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and aerial support.
Fuels: Mixed conifer.
Fire Behavior: Moderate/High.
Operations: The Whiskey fire continues to burn in mixed conifer vegetation in a location of inaccessible steep terrain where it is difficult to safely insert firefighters for direct extinguishment. With a lack of natural barriers, steep terrain, and dry fuels, the Whiskey Fire is expected to continue to grow in the Manzano Mountain Wilderness. Fire managers are building an organization and strategic plan which incorporates the realities of the landscape and conditions for full suppression.
Smoke: may be visible from westside of Manzano Mountains, Mountainair, Manzano, Punta de Agua and Torreon.

Mountainair Ranger District- Manzano Mountains
Blanco Fire (Update)
Reported Date / Time: August 24, 2026 / 1540.
Reported by Capilla Peak Lookout.
Cause: Undetermined.
Size: 21 acres.
Containment: 25%
Location: Manzano Mountains southwest of Fourth of July Canyon - Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.
Resources: U.S. Forest Service (USFS), New Mexico Forestry Division (NMFD) and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).
Strategy: Direct extinguishment.
Fuels: Timber and mixed conifer.
Fire Behavior: Low.
Operation: Firefighters completed handlines around the entire fire. Firefighters continue to secure the lines and mop-up interior using hand tools to turn over soil and smother embers to cool hot spots and prevent reignition.
Smoke may be visible from Chilili, Tajique, Torreon, Manzano, Punta de Agua, Manzano and the Estancia Valley.

Mountainair Ranger District- Manzano Mountain Wilderness
Cerro Fire (Update)
Reported Date / Time: August 24, 2026 / 1302.
Reported by Capilla Peak Lookout.
Cause: Lightning.
Size: 7 acres.
Containment: 25%
Location: Manzano Mountain Wilderness west of Fourth of July Canyon - Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.
Resources: U.S. Forest Service (USFS), New Mexico Forestry Division (NMFD) and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).
Strategy: Direct extinguishment.
Fuels: Timber and mixed conifer.
Fire Behavior: Low.
Operation: Firefighters continue to secure the lines and mop-up interior using hand tools to turn over soil and smother embers to cool hot spots and prevent reignition.
Smoke may be visible from Chilili, Tajique, Torreon, Manzano, Punta de Agua, Manzano and the Estancia Valley.

Area, Road and Trail Closure Order in effect for National Forest System (NFS) lands surrounding the Whiskey Fire (03-03-04-26-18) and Cerro & Blanco Fire (03-03-04-26-19) . The official orders and map can be viewed at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/cibola/alerts.
Additional updates will be sent as new information is received.
Weather forecast for Mountainair, NM (August 27, 2026) Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. South wind around 5 mph becoming north. Tonight: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Friday (August 28): Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Sunny, with a high near 92. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%. https://www.weather.gov/

08/24/2026

See post below regarding fires in Manzanos. TCEM highly recommends following the US Forest Service- Cibola page for more frequent updates.

08/19/2026

We are thankful for all of our partnerships!

Emergency management is not a solo job.

Long before an incident occurs, emergency managers are getting to know the people they may one day need beside them. That can mean working with public safety, healthcare, government agencies, businesses, nonprofits, schools, and many others, building the trust and understanding that make it easier to work together when something goes wrong.

When that moment comes, those relationships matter. People need to share information, coordinate resources, and make decisions together, often as circumstances change by the minute. The goal is to bring different expertise and resources together so everyone can do their part. This work also continues after the immediate response. Partners may stay connected as communities recover, address their next needs, and begin rebuilding.

Bringing different people, knowledge, and resources together makes it possible to tackle challenges that no one organization could handle alone. No one person can do it all. Emergency management works successfully because people show up for one another.

08/19/2026

Agenda for upcoming LEPC meeting. Hope to see you there!

08/13/2026

THANK YOU to all of the agencies and volunteers that helped make National Night Out at success!

Torrance County Facilities, East Torrance SWCD, Emergency Resource Partners of Torrance County, Estancia Police Department, Estancia Fire Department,
New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, New Mexico State Police, PTMI, Torrance County Torrance County 911 Dispatch, Torrance County Fire and Torrance County Fire & Ems, Torrance County Sheriff's Office, Red American Red Cross, New Mexico Veteran Integration Center, Vitalant Bloodmobile, NM Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters, Central New Mexico Electric Coop, Dept Of Health - Farmer's Market Nutrition Program, Dept Of Health - Ni****ne Use & Control, New Mexico Department of Health - Children's Medical Services, Dept Of Health - School of Adolescent Health, Dept of Health - Diabetes & Heart Disease Prevention, Dept of Health - Prevention Services, Relay New Mexico, NM State Fire Marshal's Office, Waves Behavioral Health, Torrance County Emergency Management, America's Job Center, YDI, Trilogy Farms, Early Childhood Development, Dulce Salado Therapeutic Services, Torrance County Road Dept, Torrance County Local Emergency Planning Committee and Lil Bear The Donkey.

08/11/2026

Tomorrow is the big day! Hope to see you all there!!!

08/05/2026

Officials are aware of the Sand Springs Fire burning in the Manzano Mountains. This fire started on 7/31/2026, caused by lightning. Smoke is visible in the Estancia Valley and may be visible over the next few days. There are no threats to structures at this time. U.S. Forest Service is managing this fire.

08/05/2026

UPDATE - Unfortunately the air conditioning was not able to be repaired today. Some departments will be working remotely on 8/6/2026. It is recommended to call first to see if the department you have business with is on site. Normal business is expected to resume on Monday, 8/10/2026.

8/5/2026 ~ Torrance County Administration Building does not have air conditioning currently. Due to the heat, some departments will be working remotely today. If you have business with a department in the building, it is recommended to call first to see if that department has anyone on site. Normal business is expected to resume tomorrow.

08/04/2026

ONE WEEK AWAY! Hope to see you there!