The 2025 Grant County Hazard Mitigation Action Plan (HMAP) was recently approved by FEMA last week. This multi-jurisdictional plan includes Grant County, the City of Bayard, the Town of Hurley, the Village of Santa Clara, and the Town of Silver City. Designed to protect people and structures, the HMAP also aims to reduce the financial burden of disaster response and recovery. Its overarching goal is to minimize or eliminate long-term risks to human life, property, operations, and the environment by identifying hazards and implementing cost-effective mitigation measures.
Hidalgo County Fire Rescue District 1 recently joined forces with the Duncan Valley Rural Fire District and the Virden Volunteer Fire Department for an intense live burn training exercise. As part of the drill, firefighters underwent Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus training, mastering the use of life-saving equipment that delivers breathable air in hazardous conditions. The hands-on experience prepared crews to navigate smoke-filled rooms, toxic gases, and oxygen-deficient environments—skills that could mean the difference between life and death in the line of duty.
The National Center for Frontier Communities is announcing the Rooted and Rising Youth Action Cohort for children ages 11 to 14 who are interested in building their advocacy skills and creating policy recommendations for food systems and sustainability in New Mexico. Youth will have the opportunity to explore local climate and food system challenges, draft policy solutions and learn how to advocate for change. To apply, children must write a short paragraph about why they want to participate. The deadline to apply is August 17th. For more information and to apply, visit The National Center for Frontier Communities Facebook page.
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New Mexico Magazine is now accepting entries for its 25th Annual Photo Awards Contest, inviting photographers to submit their favorite images across seven categories: people, landscapes, wildlife, New Mexico experience, mobile (phone), nightscapes, and Route 66 highways and byways. Submissions for the 2025 contest will be accepted through September 15, with winning photographs to be featured in the January/February 2026 issue of the magazine. For more information to submit your photos, visit website.
