Wildland firefighters can get $450K from the federal government for smoke-related cancers under the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act passed in December. The bill is hailed as a "critical victory" for firefighters. Read more at wildfiretoday.com.

From Sept. to Dec., this project just north of Silver City has: • Thinned 947 of 1,222 acres • Returned densely overgrown pinon-juniper to savannah woodlands • Reduced both competition stress and wildfire risk to the surrounding communities. And how 'bout that view?

Want some cozy reading this snowy Friday? Our first monthly newsletter just dropped! It's packed with stories, tips and photos from the field. Visit tinyurl.com/ytpw6aus to check it out. Want 'em delivered to your inbox? Sign up at tinyurl.com/24nbcy59.

Sometimes, big things come in small packages: Embers are responsible for 80% of homes burning in a wildfire. Good news: Protecting your homes is largely in your control. Check out this month's The Spark for small steps with a huge impact. Thx ForestStewardsGuild NM Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute Bureau of Land Management New Mexico!

Bark beetle tree mortality more than doubled for the second year as winters warm. The good news: Thinning forests helps trees better access soil moisture and repel pests. It's also a priority mitigation strategy for another rising danger: wildfire. Story: tinyurl.com/57tv2nam

What does life look like after high school? How 'bout working: • Outdoors • On a crew • To protect your forests and community GEAR UP New Mexico showed high schoolers about a career in wildland firefighting -- check out their video! 📽: youtube.com/watch?v=vTgph-…

Warm winter, low snowpack and drought raise wildfire risk in eastern NM. Reduce that risk: • Mow grasses • Make a fuel break b/w vegetation and home • Park cars over pavement/dirt, not grass • Tie up car chains • Use spark arrestors 📰Albuquerque Journal: tinyurl.com/bdhswkaz

In southern Taos County, the collaborative McGaffey Forest and Watershed Restoration Project will join Carson National Forest to: • Restore watersheds • Provide wood and jobs • Remove invasives and reduce pest stress • Reduce wildfire threat 📰: fs.usda.gov/r03/carson

Tiny beetle, big impact. Bark beetles are a native, natural check on forest density. But in warm winters and drought, trees are weakening and beetles are proliferating. In our overstocked forests, their impacts are stark. Watch the KOAT.com story: youtube.com/watch?v=9QTx7c…

It's never too late for a visit to Smokey Bear Historical Park! This little fox's late-night, self-guided tour was captured on the wildlife cam 🦊

Got that wood stove roaring finally? ❄️ Fire doesn't end when flames die down: You have to dispose of wood ash safely. In December, the Hough Fire outside Portales burned 40 acres. Its origins? Improperly disposed hot ash. Keep fire in the stove — use these steps to stay safe:

The Fix Our Forests Act: What does it all mean? Learn more about the biggest piece of wildfire legislation in recent history: its line items, experts’ recommendations, and what’s changed since its inception. Thanks to ForestStewardsGuild and SW Fire Science Consortium! swfireconsortium.org/2026/01/21/web…

From AI-powered cameras to satellites, drones and BurnBots, technology is reshaping the world of wildfire We recently partnered with Pano AI and PNM on 11 wildfire detection cameras in high-risk areas. Read this #WildfireWednesday: facnm.org/news ForestStewardsGuild

Division responded to the 25-acre Wet Weather Fire near Magdalena — one of many in a pretty big uptick in fire starts statewide, including a 500-acre grass fire west of Santa Rosa. Eastern NM is at the highest risk: tie up chains, hold off burning, keep grasses mowed!

Is there such a thing as too many trees? Read about it in our Feb. newsletter! Plus: • Our first-ever direct payment program for post-fire projects • The launch of the U.S. Wildland Fire Service • Job opportunities, hot work tips and events: mailchi.mp/state/what-was…

Wildfire Notification: 352 Fire (Quay County) Estimated 1,000 acres, zero percent contained, north of San Jon. Cause is under investigation. For complete info: nmfireinfo.com/2026/02/09/wil…

352 Fire - Final Update: 70% contained, 2,674 acres. State Road 469 re-opened, evacuations lifted. This will be the final notification unless there are significant changes. nmfireinfo.com/2026/02/10/352…

Preparing for wildfire takes a village. In this month’s The Spark, dive into Community Wildfire Protection Plans, your area's resource to identify risks and plan action steps. 🔥 Get the Spark: facnm.org Thanks to partners ForestStewardsGuild, NM Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute and Bureau of Land Management New Mexico!

Got a post-fire project? Consider our new Carbon Stewardship Program! This is the first cost-share program in the state to offer direct payments for post-fire recovery, from contour felling to seeding and restoration. Apply now! Visit emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/forest-and…

Happy #FireFriday! Top priorities in a wildfire: keep people safe. This Incident Within an Incident course prepped trainees for a medical emergency or injury in a wildfire. Get ready for fire season: full training schedule at emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/training. Well done, firefighters!