Grant County, in partnership with local municipalities and state and federal land management agencies, is developing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) aimed at reducing the risk and impact of wildfires. The third and final public meeting on the plan is scheduled for Thursday, March 26, at 6 p.m. in the Grant County Administration Building Commissioners Chamber. The meeting will also be available virtually, with access information provided on the website.
Gila Regional Medical Center has earned national recognition after being named one of Forbes Top Hospitals of 2026, placing it among an elite group of healthcare facilities across the country. The medical center is one of just five hospitals in New Mexico to receive the distinction and ranks among 1,298 hospitals nationwide recognized for excellence out of approximately 5,400 acute care hospitals in the United States. The honor highlights not only the quality of care provided at the facility, but also the ongoing commitment of its physicians, nurses, and staff, whose daily efforts ensure patients across the region receive reliable, compassionate, and high-quality healthcare.
Beginning this week, the Bureau of Land Management Las Cruces District Office, in coordination with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, will conduct a weather-dependent prescribed burn southeast of Cooks Peak in Luna County, about 20 miles east of Deming. The four-day operation will treat up to 5,000 acres of grass and brush to reduce wildfire risk, improve ecosystem health, and enhance wildlife habitat. Smoke may be visible for up to a week in the area and along nearby highways, including I-10, I-25, and Highways 180 and 26.
In New Mexico Agriculture news:
A new Feeding the Economy report found that New Mexico’s food and agriculture sector generated a $50.5 billion economic impact last year, a more than 12 percent increase from 2024. The industry supported 265,032 jobs and produced $14.36 billion in wages, while contributing over $5 billion in business taxes and $301 million in exports. State officials emphasized the sector’s broad reach across farming, processing, distribution, and restaurants, underscoring its role as a key driver of jobs and economic activity in both rural and urban communities. Nationally, food and agriculture industries contributed $10.4 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2025, accounting for about 20 percent of total output.
