New Mexico
Heart of New Mexico: The Water Train
Thoreau is home to fewer than 3,000 people. Many of them, and those that live on the surrounding Navajo Nation, know the struggle for water.
THOREAU, N.M. – Thoreau is home to fewer than 3,000 people. Many of them, and those that live on the surrounding Navajo Nation, know the struggle for water.
“There’s an existential crisis for water out here,” said Chris Halter, executive director of St. Bonaventure Indian Mission School. “We have food pantries, we have mental health services for people, but I think the most amazing thing we do is provide water.”
For years, they have provided water access for people and have been the source of water for Darlene Arviso’s water deliveries.
“They’re my people, so they need me,” Arviso, dubbed the Water Lady, said. She has been delivering water to homes on the Navajo Nation for 18 years. “They’ll be happy to see me.”
A ‘loco’ idea
The well and water tank at St. Bonaventure Indian Mission School had to come offline for mandatory maintenance and upgrades last year. It left the community in dire need of solutions. Chris Halter got with his brother, Drew, to brainstorm. The idea for Jacob’s Well was born.
“I think the idea still seems a little bit… loco,” Chris said.
Drew, familiar with transporting goods via rail and wondered if it’d be viable to move potable water to the water-starved west.
“It just kind of all came together at once,” Drew said.
Jacob’s Well, named after a bible passage, is the name of the soon-to-be nonprofit that takes water from Helena, Mississippi and Liberty, Missouri and transports via rail to Thoreau.
They have shipped more than half million gallons of water to the Navajo Nation and hope to expand the water-by-rail delivery system.
“The more we move, the more the price is going to keep coming down,” Drew said.
The clean, drinkable water is pumped from the rail car into Arviso’s truck and delivered to different homes across the Navajo Nation five days a week.
Showing up for her people is something that runs in Arviso’s family.
“My grandfather was a medicine man, and he was doing the same thing,” Arviso said. “Helping other people.”
New Mexico
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Seniors at Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center say broken air conditioning has left the gym above 80 degrees during peak summer heat.
Angi Gonzales Carver said she goes to the center almost every day and now worries the heat could cancel classes for seniors, adults and kids.
The city said three HVAC roof units at the center need replacement. The city said those units are 20 years old and crews have put in one portable cooler and two fans for now.
“I have a temperature measure, and it was 88 and that was without people,” said Angi Gonzales Carver.
Carver says the center recently posted a warning sign saying staff will cancel classes and activities if the gym gets hotter than 78 degrees.
“A lot of them have to sit down and they’re they’re fanning themselves,” said Carver.
The city considers all multigenerational centers cooling centers, including Manzano Mesa. The city says it plans to add two more portable units next week while it works to restore the air conditioning.
“I mean, we, as seniors, we deserve better,” said Carver.
The City’s statement
A city spokesperson gave the following statement regarding the HVAC situation:
“The City is carrying out a planned replacement of the three HVAC roof units at Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center, which are 20 years old. Portable cooling units support the gym and two additional portable units will be installed next week. All other areas of the facility remain fully air-conditioned and operational.”
Acres: 7,769 acres
Start Date: June 9, 2026
Location: 18 miles southeast of Quemado, NM
Personnel: 169
Containment: 100%
Cause: Lightning
Summary: Containment lines are holding, and much of the repair work is completed on the Bear Fire. The Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Management Team will transfer command of the fire back to the Gila National Forest and a Type 4 Incident Commander on Wednesday morning. Firefighters will continue to patrol and secure the perimeter while repair is completed.
Remarking on the success of firefighters on the Bear Fire, Incident Commander Marcus Cornwell said, “The support from the State of New Mexico Forestry Division, local landowners, and the Village of Quemado were instrumental in helping suppress the fire. Providing firefighters access to private land and use of Quemado High School proved pivotal.”
This will be the last daily update provided by the Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Management Team. Any future updates for the Bear Fire will come from the Gila National Forest.
Weather: Today’s high temperature will be in the mid 80s. Moisture moving in from the south will improve relative humidity and drop temperatures slightly. The forecast shows daily chances of thunderstorms through Friday.
Safety: A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place through this evening. If you fly, we can’t! The Gila National Forest enacted an Area Closure Order for the Bear Fire.
Evacuations: Catron County Emergency Management lifted SET status for residences within zones 2, 3 and 4 on Thursday, June 18th. For more information about the change in evacuation status, visit Catron County Emergency Management.
Smoke: Smoke may be visible in and around 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 https://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: 2026.bear@firenet.gov
Incident Information:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GilaNForest
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/nmgnf-bear-fire
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