This week is Fire Prevention Week and next Friday, Oct. 20, the Reel Deal Theater will join the nation in opening the film, “Only the Brave,” the story of the heroes who battled the Yarnell Hill Fire, one of the deadliest wildland fires in history, located outside Prescott, Ariz., which claimed the lives of 19 of the 20 hotshots June 30, 2013.

 

In recognition of this focus on fire prevention and protection, the Los Alamos Creative District is hosting a special “Wildfire Science On Tap” 5:30-7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 12 at UnQuarked – The Wine Room in Los Alamos.

 

LAFD Driver Engineer Van Leimer will present the latest programs, procedures and equipment in use by the Los Alamos Fire Department to prevent and combat wildfires. Driver Engineer Leimer is the operations lead for the LAFD wildland division. He brings extensive experience in wildland firefighting prior to coming to Los Alamos, and authored the Los Alamos Fire Chief’s directive regarding fuels mitigation. He is one of two LAFD firefighters that were recently deployed to the Deep Creek fire in Northern Colorado in September.

 

Driver Engineer Leimer will also show a short documentary on NASA’s research inspired by the Granite Mountain Hotshots’ experience to improve fire shelter technology for wildland firefighters in the field.

 

Friday, Oct. 20, Los Alamos County’s Fire Department, Communications Office and Film Office are partnering with the Reel Deal Theater in Los Alamos to celebrate Los Alamos’ role in “Only the Brave,” with family-friendly demonstrations by LAFD of wildland firefighting equipment in the parking lot, film promotion giveaways and special recognition for film extras.

 

Go to the Los Alamos County Facebook page or website: losalamosnm.us for updates!