Thousands of residents in communities across Arizona (including the Nogales area), New Mexico (including Juárez), and Texas (including El Paso) have been advised to stay inside as fine particles of pollution (PM2.5) reached “unhealthy” levels, as of 3.15 a.m. ET on January 19, 2026.
This information comes from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) AirNow Map, which uses the Air Quality Index (AQI)—a standardized scale that measures and communicates air quality across the U.S. by categorizing conditions into six levels, from “Good,” “Moderate,” and “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” to “Unhealthy” “Very Unhealthy,” and “Hazardous.”
Why It Matters
The EPA considers PM2.5 to be one of the most dangerous forms of air pollution. This is because the particles are so small—each one is less than 2.5 micrometers in size, which is far thinner than a single strand of hair. When PM2.5 levels reach an “unhealthy” range, these particles can be easily inhaled, traveling deep into the lungs and, in some cases, entering the bloodstream. This can trigger irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, as well as more serious effects such as chest tightness and shortness of breath.
“Unhealthy” levels of PM2.5 pose the greatest risk to sensitive groups, including older adults, children, and people with existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. Individuals with asthma, COPD, or heart disease are particularly vulnerable because elevated particle levels can worsen their underlying conditions and may even lead to hospitalization.
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As a result, the EPA advises those in sensitive groups to avoid prolonged or intense outdoor activities. Everyone else is encouraged to reduce the duration or intensity of outdoor exertion until air quality improves.
Although residents in affected areas should avoid or reduce long or intense outdoor activity when PM2.5 reaches “unhealthy” levels, poor air quality can also affect the air inside homes. Because indoor particle levels can rise when outdoor pollution is high, the EPA and health agencies advise avoiding activities that generate additional indoor pollution—such as burning candles, using woodstoves, or lighting indoor fires. They also recommend using air purifiers or high‑efficiency filters to keep indoor air as clean as possible
What Causes ‘Unhealthy’ Levels of PM2.5?
The EPA has not established what is causing “unhealthy” levels of PM2.5 across Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. However, PM2.5 can come from a variety of sources, including dust from unpaved roads and construction sites, smoke from fires or smokestacks, or emissions released from vehicles or power and industrial sites.
NM FAST (New Mexico Federal and State Technology) is now accepting applications for a free space-sector accelerator cohort designed to help New Mexico-based technology companies compete for federal funding through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The cohort targets founders and researchers pursuing grants from NASA, Space Force and related federal agencies, with programming set to launch July 21.
The cohort will admit six to 10 New Mexico companies and run for 10 to 12 weeks, meeting in weekly sessions of approximately one and a half to two hours. Programming covers the full arc of federal commercialization strategy, including space-sector SBIR/STTR opportunities and federal funding pathways, proposal development for technical narratives and commercialization components, federal procurement positioning and agency discovery, capital strategy and follow-on funding options, and transition planning from Phase I to Phase II awards. Participants also receive targeted one-on-one advisory support throughout the program. The cohort is offered at no cost to accepted companies.
The program is open to companies at both the pre-award and early-award stages. The majority of cohort seats are designed for Phase 0 companies preparing to submit Phase I SBIR/STTR applications to NASA or Space Force. A limited number of seats are available for Phase I awardees working toward Phase II readiness and Phase III transition planning.
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“New Mexico has a deep base of research and a growing pipeline of founders ready to translate that work into companies that can compete for federal R&D dollars,” said Carlos Murguia, director of the Technology and Innovation Gateway at Arrowhead Center. “This cohort focuses specifically on the space sector, pairing New Mexico companies with Larta’s expertise in SBIR and STTR commercialization to give founders a clear, structured path from early-stage research to federal award.”
Larta Institute, NM FAST’s commercialization partner for this program, will lead the full design and delivery of the accelerator curriculum. Larta has supported startups that have collectively raised more than $23.7 billion since 1993 and brings that track record to founders working in New Mexico’s growing aerospace and space technology sector.
The cohort aligns with the aerospace priority sector named in the New Mexico Entrepreneurship Programmatic Support Grant and is relevant to companies working at the intersection of advanced computing, bioscience and advanced energy applications in space-related contexts.
NM FAST is administered by Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University and operates statewide, serving founders in Las Cruces, Albuquerque, Los Alamos and rural communities across New Mexico. Over more than a decade of programming, NM FAST has supported more than 470 New Mexico startups and helped companies secure nearly $28 million in federal SBIR awards. Targeted outreach is directed to rural, women, veteran and minority entrepreneurs.
The program is sponsored by the New Mexico Economic Development Department’s Technology and Innovation Office through the New Mexico Entrepreneurship Programmatic Support Grant, which supports continued statewide programming for SBIR/STTR-eligible companies in the four priority sectors.
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Applications are open now and will be accepted through July 14, 2026. Interested companies can apply at forms.gle/CqSwEL7LahqB5pGu9. Space is limited, and selected companies will be notified before the program launch.
SANTA FE, N.M. – Santa Fe County and Edgewood approved a new agreement and ordinance that secures ongoing fire and EMS services for Edgewood residents.
According to a joint announcement from the Town of Edgewood and Santa Fe County on June 19, the two governments negotiated and adopted a new Joint Powers Agreement and ordinance to keep the Santa Fe County Fire Department serving the town.
County and town representatives drafted the agreement together. The town adopted the ordinance unanimously at a special meeting on June 16, putting an end to weeks of uncertainty.
Santa Fe County District 3 Commissioner Camilla Bustamante said, “I believe we are all relieved to know that the people of Edgewood will continue to have the fire and EMS services necessary to protect their homes, their families, and their community. This community deserves nothing less.”
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The announcement said the ordinance takes effect five days after final publication. The statement also said no further action or approval is needed to guarantee continued fire suppression, fire prevention, and EMS services for Edgewood residents.
Both governments noted the agreement will continue indefinitely unless either side ends it with five years’ notice.
