West
Are affordable housing mandates constitutional? Lawmakers respond to the affordability crisis nationwide
As many young Americans struggle to become homeowners, lawmakers nationwide are crafting legislation to ensure housing needs are met, sparking a debate on the constitutionality of affordable housing mandates.
The state of New Jersey is embattled in a lawsuit over its affordable housing mandates as city leaders argue the mandate is putting a strain on municipalities due to a lack of available infrastructure to meet the demands.
Fox News Digital chatted with Montvalle, NJ Mayor Michael Ghassali, who is leading the charge against the state, to get his take on the latest legislation.
BOTH HARRIS AND TRUMP NEED AN ANSWER TO HOUSING CRISIS
“Being the mayor of a small town, we have been building affordable housing for the last three rounds. In fact, about 10% of Montvale is affordable housing stock… What has happened is our infrastructure is affected,” Ghassali told Fox News Digital. “We have low water pressure. So, we have fire hydrants with low water pressure on the west side of town. Now, we have to add a second water tower. We have to add additional police officers… We passed a $30 million referendum to increase the size of the middle school because we need more space. The traffic has been a lot worse than ever before. It’s a small town, but it takes twenty minutes to go from one end to the other. So, it has affected our quality of life in town just by adding more people.”
The small-town mayor voiced his concerns over the law not taking into account affordable housing units in 62 urban aid municipalities and expressed a desire to work with the state in crafting a smart plan moving forward.
“I would love for Trenton and for the legislators to just listen to us and trust us,” Ghassali, told Fox News Digital. “We want to build, but our infrastructure doesn’t hold it. So, we asked for some time to just assess what we have before we could do more. … We know our towns. We know our streets. We know what we can and what we can’t do. We want to work with them. We don’t want to fight this. We need affordable housing. I have two sons who will not be able to afford to live in the town they grew up in. So, I get it. We need affordable housing. Just listen to us.”
On the opposite side of the country, California Gov. Gavin Newsom also introduced legislation to help give Americans affordable housing opportunities. Fox News Digital reached out to the governor’s office, who provided more information.
“(The governor) invested over $40 billion to boost affordable housing across the state, including through expanded state tax credits, infrastructure grants, and funding for climate-friendly housing,” the statement read, “(Along with investing) over $27 billion to address homelessness, with a focus on ending street encampments, (and) requiring first-ever regional homelessness plans for California for cities, counties, and CoC’s.”
Newsom has also planned for 1 million affordable housing units by 2030, pioneered the Homekey and Project Roomkey to get 72,000 people off the streets, put aside funding to address housing encampments, created renter protections and adopted a new framework on providing care to those experiencing psychosis, to name a few of the many measures shared by his office.
“No more excuses,” Newsom said in a September press release. “California is taking action to fix the decades-long homelessness, housing, and mental health crises. These new laws — paired with the state’s unprecedented resources — will deliver more housing, get people off the streets, and provide life-changing support that will benefit all Californians.”
Fox News Digital reached out to legal experts to way in on the constitutionality of the affordable housing fight.
The Wright Law Firm founder Jamie E. Wright said the debate delves into the “age-old struggle between state authority and local autonomy surrounding decision-making.”
“(In the New Jersey case), the state contends that ensuring low-income and middle-income families have access to housing is a vital interest according to the Mount Laurel doctrine,” she explained. “On the other hand, municipalities are resisting this mandate, arguing that it infringes upon their jurisdiction and disrupts their control over zoning and resources. At its core, the legal issue revolves around whether the state’s commitment to equity and anti-segregation goals trumps the independence of local governments. This discussion goes beyond housing; it’s a fight over determining the future direction of New Jersey communities.”
Raul Gastesi, attorney and co-Founder of Gastesi Lopez & Mestre, based in Miami, offered a different perspective on the constitutionality of affordable housing mandates, using the debate over Florida’s Live Local Act as an example.
“I believe that the mandates are constitutional so long as they are mandated by the state legislature and not the courts,” Gastesi said. “The issue of affordable housing is increasingly becoming a creature of state law as opposed to local or municipal law. The state legislators all too often believe that the local governments are exacerbating the housing shortage with local ordinances and zoning restrictions, including land use rules that make it extremely costly and difficult to construct multifamily housing.”
Fox News Digital reached out to New Jersey Senate Majority Whip Troy Singleton (D-Delran), who sponsored the state bill, to get his take on the lawsuit, but he did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
New Jersey Globe reported that Singleton said “affluent, suburban towns opposing affordable housing mandates is nothing new.”
“Same story, different day,” Singleton said, according to the New Jersey Globe. “What is incredibly offensive, beyond using taxpayer dollars to fund this politically-driven, superfluous lawsuit, is the attempt to use the legal process to intentionally delay our affordable housing laws – not by weeks or months, but years.”
Fox News Digital also reached out to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, which declined to comment on the pending legislation.
Read the full article from Here
Emilie Sangimino started Kalispell Montana Hidden Gems with a simple mission: to help promote the local businesses and places she loved in the Flathead Valley.
Fast forward, and the social media accounts Sangimino started on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok have a combined following of more than 113,000. Per analytics, the content she shares to highlight businesses in the area get upward of 1.5 million views per month. She’s expanded beyond her own base of Kalispell, highlighting businesses that are “hidden gems” in Billings, Missoula and Bozeman, with the help of local managers in each area. Hidden Gems has its own website as well, featuring businesses across several sectors like health & wellness; food & drink; places to stay; fun & adventure; shopping; professional services; and events.
And for the businesses she’s worked with, those views have converted to real-life people walking through the doors.
The formula Sangimino uses for promotion looks simple on its face. Most of her content consists of videos showing a beautiful location with white text over them.
“Did you know you can ride a rollercoaster down a mountain and mini golf all in one place in Lakeside, Montana?” a recent post highlighting Flathead Lake Alpine Coaster reads.
“Experience the Cabins at Blacktail for a day!” reads the caption on another.
When you click on a post, a video clip rolls, showcasing the business, property or event the post is meant to highlight. The reels also tag the businesses to direct visitors to their accounts.
“I wanted it to be more of storytelling about these incredible businesses, and I wanted to just really do my best to do the area justice that I felt like it deserved,” Sangimino said.
Julie Darrow, an owner of the Cabins at Blacktail, has worked with Sangimino and Kalispell Montana Hidden Gems for about two years.
Darrow’s business consists of six cabins on a 5-acre property in Lakeside. The property has a natural spring and creek that runs through it, and the cabins serve as hosts for short-term rentals or spaces to host weddings and retreats. Darrow said Sangimino posts reels of her business about once per month.
At first, Sangimino highlighted the full experience at the Cabins at Blacktail, but more recently, Darrow said she’s been helping the business highlight its weekday wellness and staycation options, which allow people to rent out a cabin for the day and create an experience with the plethora of options offered at the Cabins: yoga, massages, Pilates, a sauna and cold plunge.
Darrow said once Sangimino’s reels post, she often gets direct bookings and inquiries from customers.
“The key piece to this is that social media is awesome and incredible, and just because an account has a lot of followers, it does not mean that that’s producing business,” Darrow explained. “It doesn’t mean it’s converting. The incredible thing about what she’s doing is that we’re getting followers from her, but it’s also converting to engagement. We’re getting business.”
Denise Archer, who owns Scout & Gather Mercantile, a local business in Columbia Falls, has worked with Sangimino since fall of 2024, and seconded Darrow’s sentiments.
Archer’s business aims to host “a unique space that brings together shopping and experiences for both locals and visitors.” The mercantile has clothing, gifts and home décor; but the roadside destination also hosts events, has a spot to grab pizza or coffee, and has a mini golf course.
Archer explained when her family was first establishing the business, it was difficult to raise awareness, particularly outside of tourist seasons. She credited Sangimino and her work posting reels, stories, video content and working with the business on social media promotion with elevating the business’s visibility and helping attract people there, particularly during the off-season.
“We’ve seen noticeable growth in our social media following and engagement since working with her,” Archer wrote in an email. “Anecdotally, we’ve had many customers mention that they discovered us through Hidden Gems of Kalispell, which has been especially valuable.”
Sangimino said it’s common that consumers will use her account to plan their own trips to the Flathead — and elsewhere in the state.
For her, partnering and promoting local businesses serves as a meaningful effort.
“I can’t really emphasize how positive this business has been in my life personally,” Sangimino said. “It’s given me the opportunity, of course, to discover things that I wouldn’t have without this, but it’s also connected me with people and places in this area and just made me love it even more.”
She continued: “There is a zest to business and to experiences here that I didn’t even realize until I stepped foot into some of these places or connected with these incredible local business owners. And you know, I really look at it as a privilege to be given the opportunity to have a very small piece in the success of all the businesses here.”
And for the business owners, like Archer, being considered “hidden gems” has served as a boon for the businesses they run.
“Being considered a ‘Hidden Gem’ highlights the uniqueness of what we offer and helps position us as a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists looking for something special,” Archer said.
[email protected]
‘;
html += ”;
html += ”;
$(‘.nlsm-small’).addClass(‘livewell’).html(html);
return;
}
if ($(‘.rj-story-sponsored-full’).length>0) {
return;
}
if ($(‘.rj-story-full’).hasClass(‘tag-2026-yearahead’)) {
html=””;
html += ”;
html += ‘
Las Vegas 2026
‘;
html += ‘
What will the new year bring to the valley? These are the biggest stories we’re watching.
‘;
html += ”;
$(‘.nlsm-small’).addClass(‘yea4-2025-embed’).html(html);
return;
}
if ($(‘.rj-story-full’).hasClass(‘tag-2025-year-in-review’)) {
html=””;
html += ”;
html += ‘
2025: Las Vegas Year in Review
‘;
html += ‘
Look back at the biggest stories and events that took place in Las Vegas in 2025
‘;
html += ”;
$(‘.nlsm-small’).addClass(‘yea4-2025-embed’).html(html);
return;
}
if ($(‘.rj-story-full’).hasClass(‘tag-thacker-pass’)) {
html=””;
html += ”;
html += ‘
Nevada’s ‘white gold’ rush
‘;
html += ‘
Read our six-part series about the Nevada communities that are bearing the brunt of the country’s clean energy future.
‘;
html += ”;
$(‘.nlsm-small’).addClass(‘thacker-pass-embed’).html(html);
return;
}
if ($(‘.rj-story-full’).hasClass(‘tag-judging-the-judges-2025’)) {
html=””;
html += ‘
html += ‘
JUDGING THE JUDGES 2025
‘;
html += ”;
html += ”;
html += ‘
‘;
$(‘.nlsm-small’).addClass(‘black-book-embed’).html(html);
return;
}
if ($(‘.rj-story-full’).hasClass(‘tag-black-book’)) {
html=””;
html += ”;
html += ‘
‘;
html += ”;
$(‘.nlsm-small’).addClass(‘black-book-embed’).html(html);
return;
}
if ($(‘.rj-story-full’).hasClass(‘tag-telles-murder-trial’)) {
html=””;
html += ”;
html += ”;
html += ‘Robert Telles On Trial: Full Coverage‘;
html += ”;
html += ”;
$(‘.nlsm-small’).addClass(‘telles_murder’).html(html);
return;
}
if ($(‘.rj-story-full’).hasClass(‘tag-jeff-german-murder’) || $(‘.rj-story-full’).hasClass(‘tag-remembering-jeff-german’)) {
html=””;
html += ”;
html += ”;
html += ‘‘;
html += ”;
html += ”;
$(‘.nlsm-small’).addClass(‘jeff_german’).html(html);
return;
}
if ($(‘.rj-story-full’).hasClass(‘tag-what-are-they-hiding’)) {
html=””;
html += ”;
html += ”;
html += ‘
WHAT ARE THEY HIDING?
‘;
html += ‘
Exposing officials and agencies keeping public records from the public.
‘;
html += ‘
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
‘;
html += ”;
html += ”;
$(‘.nlsm-small’).addClass(‘2023-year-in-review’).html(html);
return;
}
if ($(‘.rj-story-full’).hasClass(‘tag-2023-year-in-review’)) {
html=””;
html += ”;
html += ”;
html += ‘
2023 YEAR IN REVIEW
‘;
html += ‘
CLICK HERE FOR MORE
‘;
html += ”;
html += ”;
$(‘.nlsm-small’).addClass(‘2023-year-in-review’).html(html);
return;
}
if ($(‘.rj-story-full’).hasClass(‘tag-msg-sphere’)) {
html=””;
html += ”;
html += ”;
html += ‘‘;
html += ”;
html += ”;
$(‘.nlsm-small’).addClass(‘tag-msg-sphere’).html(html);
return;
}
if ($(‘.rj-story-full’).hasClass(‘tag-911-anniversary’)) {
html=””;
html += ”;
html += ”;
html += ‘
REMEMBERING 9/11: 20 YEARS LATER
‘;
html += ‘
Looking back at the 2001 terror attacks and how they affected Las Vegas and the world.
‘;
html += ‘
Read more
‘;
html += ”;
html += ”;
$(‘.nlsm-small’).addClass(‘anniversary-911’).html(html);
return;
}
if ($(‘.rj-story-full’).hasClass(‘tag-class-of-2021’)) {
html=””;
html += ”;
html += ”;
html += ‘
MEET THE UNFORGETTABLE CLASS
‘;
html += ‘
html += ‘
html += ‘
‘;html += ‘
‘;
html += ‘
2021
‘;
html += ‘
html += ‘
‘;html += ‘
‘;
html += ‘
‘;
html += ”;
html += ”;
$(‘.nlsm-small’).addClass(‘class-2021’).html(html);
return;
}
if ($(‘.rj-story-full’).hasClass(‘tag-2022-election’)) {
html=””;
html += ”;
html += ”;
html += ”;
$(‘.nlsm-small’).addClass(‘election-2022’).html(html);
return;
}
if ($(‘.rj-story-full’).hasClass(‘tag-harry-reid-1939-2021’)) {
html=””;
html += ”;
html += ”;
html += ‘
html += ‘
Harry Reid
(1939-2021)
‘;
html += ‘
‘;
html += ‘
html += ‘
‘;html += ‘
‘;
html += ‘
html += ‘
Senate leader and Nevada political titan
‘;
html += ‘
Read more
‘;
html += ‘
‘;
html += ”;
html += ”;
$(‘.nlsm-small’).addClass(‘harry-reid’).html(html);
return;
}
if ($(‘.rj-story-full’).hasClass(‘tag-henry-ruggs’)) {
html=””;
html += ”;
html += ”;
html += ‘
html += ‘
HENRY RUGGS
DEADLY CRASH
‘;
html += ‘
‘;
html += ‘
html += ‘
‘;html += ‘
‘;
html += ‘
html += ‘
CLICK FOR MORE
‘;
html += ‘
‘;
html += ”;
html += ”;
$(‘.nlsm-small’).addClass(‘henry-ruggs’).html(html);
return;
}
if ($(‘.rj-story-full’).hasClass(‘category-homicides’)) {
html=””;
html += ”;
html += ”;
html += ”;
$(‘.nlsm-small’).addClass(‘homicides’).html(html);
return;
}
if ($(‘.rj-story-full’).hasClass(‘tag-sheldon-adelson’)) {
html=””;
html += ”;
html += ”;
html += ‘
html += ‘
Sheldon Adelson
(1933-2021)
‘;
html += ‘
‘;
html += ‘
html += ‘
‘;html += ‘
‘;
html += ‘
html += ‘
Las Vegas visionary and Philanthropist.
‘;
html += ‘
Read more
‘;
html += ‘
‘;
html += ”;
html += ”;
$(‘.nlsm-small’).addClass(‘sheldon-adelson’).html(html);
return;
}
if ($(‘.rj-story-full’).hasClass(‘tag-tony-hsieh’)) {
html=””;
html += ”;
html += ”;
html += ‘
html += ‘
Tony Hsieh
(1973-2020)
‘;
html += ‘
‘;
html += ‘
html += ‘
‘;html += ‘
‘;
html += ‘
html += ‘
Ex-Zappos and Downtown Project CEO left a lasting impression on Las Vegas.
‘;
html += ‘
Read more
‘;
html += ‘
‘;
html += ”;
html += ”;
$(‘.nlsm-small’).addClass(‘tony-hsieh’).html(html);
return;
}
if ($(‘.rj-story-full’).hasClass(‘tag-vegas-weekend’)) { //vegas-reawakening
html=””;
html += ”;
html += ”;
html += ‘
VEGAS REAWAKENING
‘;
html += ‘
A year after the pandemic began, the first weekend of spring showed a perfect storm of promise for Las Vegas’ recovery and brought optimism that visitors would indeed return to the city
‘;
html += ‘
Read more
‘;
html += ”;
html += ”;
$(‘.nlsm-small’).addClass(‘vegas-reawakening’).html(html);
return;
}
//add newsletters embed
var default_category_to_show = [‘News’, ‘Local’, ‘Life’, ‘Crime’];
var newsletter_1st_lv = [];
newsletter_1st_lv[‘default’] = {‘id’:’starting_point,pm_update’, ‘track_name’:’StartingPoint’, ‘title’:’LOCAL NEWS YOUR WAY‘, ‘subtitle’:’Sign up for our free daily Morning and Afternoon Update newsletters.’};
newsletter_1st_lv[‘Sports’] = {‘id’:’sports’, ‘track_name’:’Sports’, ‘title’:’SPORTS NEWS YOUR WAY‘, ‘subtitle’:’Sign up for our free Sports Update newsletter.’};
newsletter_1st_lv[‘Business’] = {‘id’:’business’, ‘track_name’:’Business’, ‘title’:’BUSINESS NEWS YOUR WAY‘, ‘subtitle’:’Sign up for our free Business Update newsletter.’};
newsletter_1st_lv[‘Live Well’] = {‘id’:’livewell’, ‘track_name’:’livewell’, ‘title’:’LIVE WELL NEWSLETTER‘, ‘subtitle’:’Your weekly source for living your healthiest and happiest life.’};
newsletter_1st_lv[‘Entertainment’] = {‘id’:”,’alert_id’:’entertainment’, ‘track_name’:’Entertainment’, ‘title’:’WANT THE LATEST ON LAS VEGAS ENTERTAINMENT?‘, ‘subtitle’:’Sign up for free entertainment email alerts’};
//newsletter_1st_lv[‘Nevada Preps’] = {‘id’:’nevada_preps’, ‘title’:’HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS YOUR WAY‘, ‘subtitle’:’Stay up to date with our free Nevada Preps newsletter.’};
//newsletter_1st_lv[‘Investigations’] = {‘id’:’rj_investigates’, ‘title’:’INVESTIGATIVE NEWS YOUR WAY‘, ‘subtitle’:’Sign up for our free RJ Investigates newsletter.’};
var cat_has_subcat = [‘News’,’Business’,’Entertainment’,’Sports’, ‘Opinion’];
var newsletter_2nd_lv = [];
newsletter_2nd_lv[‘Politics and Government’] = {‘id’:”,’alert_id’:’political’, ‘track_name’:’Political’, ‘title’:’LOCAL, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL POLITICS COVERAGE‘, ‘subtitle’:’
Sign up for our free RJ politics email alerts.
‘};
//newsletter_2nd_lv[‘Politics and Government’] = {‘id’:’political’, ‘title’:’ELECTION 2020: BE INFORMED’, ‘subtitle’:’
Sign up for our free RJ Politics newsletter.
‘};
//newsletter_2nd_lv[‘Debra J. Saunders’] = {‘id’:’44’, ‘title’:’YOUR WEEKLY POLITICAL FIX‘, ‘subtitle’:’Sign up for our free DC-LV newsletter with political stories from the swamp to the Strip.’};
//newsletter_2nd_lv[‘CES 2021’] = {‘id’:’ces’, ‘title’:’CES 2021: STAY IN THE KNOW’, ‘subtitle’:’
Sign up for our free newsletter below.’};
//newsletter_2nd_lv[‘TV’] = {‘id’:’tv_briefing’, ‘title’:’GET YOUR TV LISTINGS‘, ‘subtitle’:’Your Weekly TV Briefing.’};
//newsletter_2nd_lv[‘UNLV’] = {‘id’:’unlv_rebel_news’, ‘title’:’UNLV SPORTS YOUR WAY‘, ‘subtitle’:’Stay up to date on the Rebels with our free newsletter.’};
newsletter_2nd_lv[‘Rodeo’] = {‘id’:’rodeo_nfr’, ‘track_name’:’RodeoNFR’, ‘title’:’RODEO NEWS YOUR WAY‘, ‘subtitle’:’Don’t miss any of the action! Click here for full NFR coverage or Sign up for our free newsletter below’};
newsletter_2nd_lv[‘Raiders News’] = {‘id’:’vegasnation’, ‘track_name’:’VegasNation’, ‘title’:’WANT EVEN MORE RAIDERS NEWS?‘, ‘subtitle’:’Sign up for our free Vegas Nation newsletter.’};
newsletter_2nd_lv[‘Golden Knights’] = {‘id’:”,’alert_id’:’golden_knights’, ‘track_name’:’GoldenKnights’, ‘title’:’WANT MORE KNIGHTS IN YOUR DAY?‘, ‘subtitle’:’Sign up for free Golden Knights email alerts for all the latest updates’};
var main_cat=””;
var m_hierarchy = [];
var m_cat = [];
var m_hl_cat=””;
if (window.dataLayer[0].metrics) {
main_cat = window.dataLayer[0].metrics.section; //National Finals Rodeo
m_hierarchy = window.dataLayer[0].metrics.hierarchy.split(‘ | ‘); //”Sports | Rodeo | National Finals Rodeo”
m_cat = window.dataLayer[0].metrics.categories; //[“National Finals Rodeo”,”Rodeo”,”Sports”]
m_hl_cat = window.dataLayer[0].metrics[‘hl-category’]; //Sports
}
var i, k, found, newsletter;
newsletter = false;
found = false;
if (default_category_to_show.includes(m_hl_cat)) {
newsletter = newsletter_1st_lv[‘default’];
}
if (newsletter_1st_lv.hasOwnProperty(m_hl_cat)) {
newsletter = newsletter_1st_lv[m_hl_cat];
}
// check main category
if (newsletter_2nd_lv.hasOwnProperty(main_cat)) {
found = true;
newsletter = newsletter_2nd_lv[main_cat];
}
if (!found) {
// check in hierarchy (main category hierarchy)
i = m_hierarchy.length;
while (!found && i >= 0) {
i–;
if (i > 0) {
if (newsletter_2nd_lv.hasOwnProperty(m_hierarchy[i])) {
found = true;
newsletter = newsletter_2nd_lv[m_hierarchy[i]];
}
} else {
// i=0, check first level
if (newsletter_1st_lv.hasOwnProperty(m_hierarchy[i])) {
found = true;
newsletter = newsletter_1st_lv[m_hierarchy[i]];
}
}
}
}
if (!found) {
// check in category
i = m_cat.length;
while (!found && i > 0 && cat_has_subcat.includes(m_hl_cat)) {
i–;
if (newsletter_2nd_lv.hasOwnProperty(m_cat[i])) {
found = true;
newsletter = newsletter_2nd_lv[m_cat[i]];
}
}
}
if (newsletter !== false && !$(‘.rj-story-full’).hasClass(‘tag-hide-newsletter’) && !$(‘.rj-story-full’).hasClass(‘ rj-story-sponsored-full’)) {
var alert_id = ”;
if (newsletter.alert_id) {
alert_id = newsletter.alert_id;
}
html=””;
html += ”;
html += ”;
html += ”;
$(‘.nlsm-small’).html(html);
}
//});
})(jQuery);
Press Release – July 4, 2026
Acres: 6,782
Start Date: June 21, 2026
Location: 15 miles east of Glenwood, NM
Personnel: 148
Containment: 0%
Cause: Lightning
Summary: Yesterday, 114 additional resources arrived on the Sacaton Fire. The fire continued to grow in the headwaters of Willow Creek, flanking through heavy fuel loading and standing dead trees from the 2012 Whitewater Baldy Fire. Fire spread to the north is slowing as it enters the recent Hummingbird and Turkey Feather fire footprints.
Unfortunately, Apache Cabin, a historic Forest Service cabin located in the Gila Wilderness, was lost in the fire. The cabin’s location mid-slope and intense fire behavior did not allow for safe engagement for firefighters. The preservation of life and firefighter safety remain the highest priority.
Today, firefighters will focus on implementing structure protection measures—including the deployment of water pumps and hose lays—around the Willow Creek Subdivision. Crews will also evaluate whether conditions warrant the use of defensive firing operations west of Willow Creek to protect private property.
Weather: Today, highs will be around 80 degrees F. Winds will blow 10 – 15 m.p.h. and gust to 25 m.p.h.
Closures: A forest area closure is in effect. Ensure you have the most current order by checking the forest’s alerts webpage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts. Bursum Road/NM-159 is currently closed east of Mogollon to Willow Creek.
Evacuations: Catron County Sheriff’s Office is implementing the Ready, Set, Go! method. The community of Willow Creek is in a GO! evacuation status due to the proximity of the Sacaton Fire. Residents in GO should leave immediately. For more information evacuation statuses, monitor Catron County Emergency Management on FaceboSacatok and sign up for Catron County emergency notifications at catroncounty.us.
Smoke: Smoke is visible from surrounding communities. Air quality will vary based on fire activity, weather, and wind patterns. Residents should reduce prolonged outdoor activity when smoke is present and check the Air Quality Index before recreating or working outdoors. Sensitive groups should take extra precautions to limit smoke exposure. For real-time smoke conditions, visit fire.airnow.gov.
Fire Restrictions: The Gila National Forest is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions due to long term severe drought in the Gila region, increased tree mortality across the forest, and forecasted hotter, drier weather conditions. Stage 1 Fire Restrictions limit campfires on forest land to designated recreation sites and campgrounds with constructed metal fire rings. Open burning is also prohibited in the unincorporated area of Catron County and in Catron County Fire District 30.
Public Information Officer: 2026.sacaton@firenet.gov, 575-210-8631
Incident Information:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GilaNForest
###
-
Massachusetts5 minutes agoOne dead in Cambridge shooting
-
Minnesota12 minutes agoOne of two charged in Montevideo, Minnesota, drive-by shooting pleads guilty
-
Mississippi14 minutes ago10 Nicest Small Towns In Mississippi
-
Missouri20 minutes agoKCFD: 1 adult, 1 child, a dog displaced after a house fire in the 3800 block of Myrtle Avenue
-
Montana27 minutes agoThe Face Behind Kalispell Montana Hidden Gems – Flathead Beacon
-
Nebraska29 minutes agoNebraska basketball lands commitment from top in-state player
-
Nevada34 minutes agoPrimm Valley Casino not open after recent ownership change
-
New Hampshire41 minutes agoOpinion: America is still a work in progress
