County Fire Chief to Depart

County Manager Jordan Barela confirmed that current Torrance County Fire Department (TCFD) Chief James Winham had indicated he intended to resign from the department. On February 26, 2025, Torrance County’s commissioners appointed Barela as interim fire chief (Barela will remain in his role as county manager as well). When asked why Winham was leaving TCFD, Barela said that it is the county’s policy not to comment on personnel matters. A Torrance County employee that wished to not be identified said they believed that Winham was leaving for a position in another organization. While contacted by the Mountainair Dispatch, Chief Winham and the Torrance County Commissioners have not yet had an opportunity to reply.