The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) warned Wednesday, February 11, that a fraudulent memo circulating online falsely claims major highways in the El Paso area will close for 10 days.
DPS said the document is not authentic and that no highway or roadway closures are planned.
“This is a fake memo, and DPS is NOT closing the major highways – or any roads – in or out of the area over the next 10 days,” the department stated.
Officials said they do not know where the memo originated. DPS did not provide additional details about how widely the document has circulated.
The agency reminded the public that official communications are issued only by the DPS Media and Communications Office, designated public information officers, or through verified DPS social media accounts.
DPS did not indicate whether it is investigating the source of the fraudulent document.
The warning follows a separate temporary airspace closure above El Paso International Airport earlier this week. Federal officials initially announced a 10-day restriction for security reasons but lifted it less than 12 hours later.
“The FAA and DOW acted swiftly to address a cartel drone incursion,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a social media statement regarding the temporary airspace restriction.
“The threat has been neutralized, and there is no danger to commercial travel in the region,” he added.
Officials have not linked the fake highway memo to the temporary airspace closure.