SANTA FE – Today the New Mexico Drought Task Force held a meeting pursuant to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s May 22, 2025 executive order declaring a state of emergency due to persistent and severe drought and escalating fire risk across New Mexico.

The executive order mobilizes state agencies to take immediate action to mitigate both drought impacts and wildfire threats.

“Despite some spring precipitation, almost all of New Mexico remains in conditions that threaten water supplies and elevate fire danger,” Lujan Grisham said. “The State Forester has enacted fire restrictions for high-risk areas, but we can’t stop there. This executive order ensures that we act decisively to conserve water and lessen our exposure to wildfire risk.”

The executive order directs the New Mexico Drought Task Force, chaired by State Engineer Elizabeth Anderson, to coordinate response efforts across more than 10 state agencies. In addition to today’s convening, the Task Force is charged with:

• Disseminating information and resources to help communities respond to drought and conserve and protect critical water supplies.
• Recommending by July 31 specific short-term actions that the governor, state agencies, and other governing bodies can take to address drought and reduce wildfire risk.
• Compiling and sharing sources of emergency and other funding to help individuals, Nations, Tribes, and Pueblos, and local governments respond to drought conditions.

In tandem with state action, the governor is urging counties, municipalities and local governments to implement water use restrictions, fireworks bans and other legal fire prevention measures.

“New Mexico’s river basins have seen below average precipitation this year, and our reservoir levels are among the lowest on record,” said State Engineer Anderson. “These conditions clearly justify emergency action. I commend the governor’s leadership in calling for a coordinated response and I look forward to focused work with the Drought Task Force in the coming weeks.”

“Over the past two years, we’ve seen some of the worst wildfires in our state’s history,” added State Forester Laura McCarthy. “The continuing drought keeps that threat high. This executive order is a critical call to action for all New Mexicans to conserve water and reduce fire risks wherever possible.”

The Drought Task Force includes representatives from the Departments of Agriculture, Economic Development, Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources, Environment, Finance and Administration, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Indian Affairs, and Tourism, as well as the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission and the New Mexico Finance Authority.

The full text of the executive order is available here.

The notice of current fire restrictions is available here.