City of Rio Communities Fire & Rescue

06/02/2026

Don’t forget! RCPD National Night Out 2026 is coming soon! Join us for food, music, and plenty of fun for everyone! Come connect with fellow community members and your local Law Enforcement 🥳

05/16/2026

05/09/2026

04/26/2026

🚩🚩National Weather Service Alert:🚩🚩
Sunday 4/26/2026 is a Red Flag Warning Day

04/26/2026

Sunday 4/26/2026 is a NO BURN DAY

04/12/2026

This week, we proudly recognize and celebrate our incredible 911 dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

Behind every call for help is a calm, steady voice guiding the way. Our dispatchers are the unseen heroes who serve as the critical link between our community and emergency services.

Their strength, compassion, and quick thinking save lives every single day.

Thank you for everything you do for Rio Communities.

04/06/2026

For immediate release: State forester enacts statewide fire restrictions
Smoking, fireworks, campfires, open burning, gas flares are prohibited
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Amid unseasonably hot weather and dry fuel conditions, the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Forestry Division is enacting statewide fire restrictions in New Mexico to reduce the risk of wildfire starts.

These restrictions respond to persistent dry and warm conditions across the state: conditions heightened by low humidity, high winds and abundant dry fuels across our forests and grasslands.

The level of wildfire danger poses a threat to public safety, life, property and natural resources across New Mexico.

The state forester has placed the following restrictions – to remain in effect until rescinded – on non-municipal, non-federal and non-Tribal lands statewide:

→ Smoking
→ Fireworks
→ Campfires
→ Prescribed, open, agricultural and/or debris burning
→ Flaring of gas related to oil and gas production

Exceptions:

→ Exceptions are allowed for certain prohibited actions in specific cases or when specific conditions are met.
→ The state forester may allow additional exceptions upon receiving a written request.

“We’re already in a particularly high-risk period for above average fire potential, which is not expected to let up anytime soon,” said State Forester Laura McCarthy. “Our current conditions are highly conducive to fires starting and spreading quickly. These restrictions are necessary to reduce that risk for the duration of this particularly hot, dry wildfire season.”

“Fire restrictions are about individual actions that protect our communities as a whole,” said EMNRD Acting Secretary Erin Taylor. “Nine out of 10 wildfires in the state are caused by humans, which means 9 out of 10 wildfires can be prevented. We’re asking that every resident and every visitor take extra precautions during a particularly risky wildfire season.”

For detailed descriptions of restrictions and for the full list of restrictions and exceptions, visit emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/find-current-fire-restrictions

Full release at emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/forestry-news

03/27/2026

Unified Fire - Valencia County - Final Update - 3.27.26

Highlights: Containment lines on the Unified Fire held up to tests from higher winds yesterday, raising containment to 50%. Today, fire crews will continue suppression activities as well as rehabilitation efforts within the affected area. This will be the final notification on the Unified Fire unless significant changes occur.

Update: Today, fire suppression crews will continue to search for interior heat to extinguish within the Unified Fire footprint and build depth to containment lines along the fire’s edge. Crews will continue to remove hazardous trees for the safety of firefighters and the public. Resource advisors are conducting surveys within the fire area and along the perimeter to assess for suppression repair needs. Weather forecasts predict increased east-southeast wind gusts of 25-40 mph and the potential for blowing dust. Threats to nearby homes have passed, however the public should continue to avoid the bosque area while crews continue suppression activities through the weekend

The Unified Fire was discovered at 10:49 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24 near Madrone, east of Interstate 25 and south of Rio Communities in Valencia County. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Weather: Currently 56 degrees F, 43% RH, north winds at 21 mph, gusts 28. Highs near 68 degrees. Breezy, with an east wind 15-25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. A High Wind Warning is in effect for today, until 9pm this evening. Tonight, lows around 35 degrees. East wind 15-25 mph becoming north 5-10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

# #

Acres: 300.

Containment: 50% contained.

Start Date / Time: 10:49 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24.

Fuels: Grass, brush, timber and timber understory.

Cause: Under investigation.

Location: Madrone, east of I-25, south of Rio Communities in Valencia County.

Ownership: State and private.

Structure Threat: Homes are no longer threatened.

Evacuations / Closures: No evacuations are in place. Previous evacuations have been lifted.

Smoke: Individuals sensitive to wildfire smoke should take precautions and use the New Mexico Department of Health 5-3-1 Visibility Method to determine if it’s safe to be outside. Learn more at https://nmtracking.doh.nm.gov/environment/air/FireAndSmoke.html An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

Resources: Forestry Division, Valencia County FD, Rio Communities FD, Belen FD, Northern Socorro FD, Peralta FD, Los Lunas FD, Albuquerque Fire Rescue, Bernalillo County FD, Santa Fe FD, Cochiti FD, Town of Bernalillo, Cibola County, NM State Police, Valencia County Sheriff, Valencia County Office of Emergency Management, Rio Communities Police, NM Livestock Board, Valencia Animal Control. NM Gas, PNM, Socorro Electric. Total personnel: 150.

# #

03/27/2026

Evening update - Unified Fire - 3/26/26

Containment lines on the Unified Fire today held up to tests from higher winds along the perimeter of the fire's footprint. Interior heat was minimal, and winds produced ash and some smoke that was visible. Crews were able to widen and improve containment lines and continue removing hazard trees in the interior. Progress on containment is anticipated for tomorrow morning's notification.

03/26/2026

Unified Fire – Valencia County – Update

March 26, 2026

Highlights: Yesterday, fire crews were able to extinguish interior smoke and widen and improve control lines across the four divisions of the Unified Fire, raising containment to 25%. More accurate mapping downsized the fire’s acreage to 300 acres.

Update: Hand crews, engines, dozers and air resources operated successfully yesterday to widen and improve control lines on the Unified Fire, increasing containment to 25%. Winds were low, and minimal smoke was present. Fellers were able to remove hazard trees within burned portions on the south division of the fire. A type-1 helicopter performed successful rounds of bucket drops to deliver water into the tree canopy in areas where interior heat was present.

Today’s weather will show increased winds beginning around mid-day. Before the wind speeds increase, air support will continue bucket drops of water within the fire footprint. Crews will continue to employ full suppression tactics, including gridding, or searching for, interior smokes and heat while securing the fire’s edge.

The public is encouraged to avoid the bosque and surrounding area so first responders can continue engaging the fire.

Command staff from the Unified Fire would like to thank the community for their patience and trust during this response period.

The Unified Fire was discovered at 10:49 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24 near Madrone, east of Interstate 25 and south of Rio Communities in Valencia County. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Weather: Currently 69 degrees F, 15% RH, north winds at 3 mph. Highs near 89 degrees. Southwest wind 5-10 mph becoming west 15-20 mph in the afternoon. Tonight, mostly clear, with a low around 41. Northwest wind 15-20 mph becoming north 5-10 mph in the evening. A High Wind Watch is in effect for Friday, 9am - 9pm.

Smoke: Individuals sensitive to wildfire smoke should take precautions and use the New Mexico Department of Health 5-3-1 Visibility Method to determine if it’s safe to be outside. Learn more at https://nmtracking.doh.nm.gov/environment/air/FireAndSmoke.html An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

# #

Acres: 300.

Containment: 25% contained.

Start Date / Time: 10:49 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24.

Fuels: Grass, brush, timber and timber understory.

Cause: Under investigation.

Location: Madrone, east of I-25, south of Rio Communities in Valencia County.

Ownership: State and private.

Structure Threat: 35 homes within the fire area.

Evacuations / Closures: No evacuations are in place. Previous evacuations have been lifted.

Resources: Forestry Division, Valencia County FD, Rio Communities FD, Belen FD, Northern Socorro FD, Peralta FD, Los Lunas FD, Albuquerque Fire Rescue, Bernalillo County FD, Santa Fe FD, Cochiti FD, Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, Rio Rancho FD, Town of Bernalillo, Cibola County, NM State Police, Valencia County Sheriff, Valencia County Office of Emergency Management, Rio Communities Police, NM Livestock Board, Valencia Animal Control. NM Gas, PNM, Socorro Electric. Total personnel: 150.