The Hummingbird Fire, which began April 20 about 15 miles east of Glenwood, has grown to 5,298 acres and is 7 percent contained as of the morning of May 1. Crews working overnight in the Willow Creek Subdivision patrolled fire lines and extinguished spot fires, while firefighters on the northwestern perimeter held containment lines along the Willow Creek ridgeline following defensive firing operations. Crews are now preparing indirect lines along Bursum Road and Bearwallow Road and continuing to secure handlines above Willow Creek, with efforts focused on protecting public safety, private property, grazing allotments, and natural and cultural resources.
The Tour of the Gila, presented by New Mexico True, in partnership with the 2026 sprinter jersey sponsor Gila Regional Cancer Center, will host a Locks of Love hair donation event during the Downtown Silver City Criterium tomorrow, May 2. Community members who have grown out their hair are invited to donate ponytails or braids to support the nonprofit’s mission of providing hairpieces to children experiencing long-term medical hair loss. The event will begin at noon at the start/finish line ahead of the Citizen Fun Races and continue throughout the afternoon at The Hub Plaza at the Gila Regional Medical Center booth.
During a recent meeting of the City of Lordsburg, the council left the position of chief of police unfilled after declining to approve Mayor Martin Neave’s recommendation of Robert Barrera for interim chief, with the motion failing due to a lack of a second. In other business, the council approved the hiring of Shawn Bivens as finance officer and postponed a decision on a software migration. Additionally, officials received an update on an audit of the police evidence vault following concerns raised by the district attorney.
In New Mexico Wildlife news:
The New Mexico Department of Wildlife is reminding the public that young wildlife are rarely abandoned and should typically be left undisturbed. Baby birds are among the most frequent encounters, and those found on the ground are often fledglings still being cared for by nearby parents. Officials advise that only nestlings lacking feathers should be gently returned to their nests if possible, while fully feathered birds should be left alone to continue developing. The New Mexico Department of Wildlife encourages residents to observe wildlife from a distance and keep pets under control to help protect young animals.
