Special Yard Trimming Roll Cart Collection May 16-20
COUNTY News:
As firefighters battle the Cerro Pelado Fire to keep the Los Alamos and White Rock communities safe, County officials remind citizens they can implement some mitigation measures themselves.
To protect homes and neighborhoods, residents can clear dry vegetation from their homes and create a defensible space. To support this effort, next week (May 16-20) the Los Alamos County Environmental Services will provide a special yard trimming roll cart collection, in addition to its regularly scheduled trash and recycling collection.
This year, the fire season arrived early in New Read More
Cerro Pelado Fire Evening Video: Friday May 13
Video of Great Basin Team 1 Public Information Officer Mina Bolton speaking this evening with the Los Alamos Daily Post on what occurred throughout the day with the Cerro Pelado Fire. Watch for a video update in the morning in which Bolton will give a briefing on what occurred overnight with the fire at ladailypost.com. Video by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com Read More
Golf Course Opens Saturday, Other County Facilities Monday
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County officials have announced that the Golf Course will open to the public Saturday, May 14.
Other county-owned and operated facilities will open Monday, May 16, with the exception of Camp May and White Rock Visitor Center.
Additionally, per the Fire Marshal’s Order issued on May 5, 2022 use and access of all public trail systems, unpaved roads, and open spaces on public or private lands within the County are prohibited during Stage 3 Fire Restrictions.
Overlook also is open as of Monday; however may close with 24-hour notice for fire support needs.
Los Alamos Read More
Clarification Regarding Trails, Roads, And Open Spaces Closed Within Los Alamos County
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Fire Marshal Wendy Servey clarifies that the use and access of all public trail systems, unpaved roads, and open spaces on public or private lands within the County are prohibited during Stage 3 Fire Restrictions.
This includes Pajarito Mountain and Rendija Canyon (except access to shooting range indoor programs and residents); however, this road would be opened in the event of an evacuation.
The Fire Marshal’s Order issued on May 5, 2022 directed and invoked her authority to protect people from the extreme fire danger that exists within Los Alamos County. Read More
Los Alamos County Declares Fire Danger Emergency … County Remains In ‘Set’ … No Evacuations
COUNTY News:
… the declaration is a prerequisite to be considered for potential state and federal disaster-relief assistance associated with emergency protective measures.
Los Alamos County Manager Steven Lynne announced this morning that Acting Council Chair Denise Derkacs has declared a fire danger emergency in the County of Los Alamos due to the Cerro Pelado Fire that has burned just outside the community for 21 days, has grown to 45,394 acres and is 19 percent contained.
Lynne emphasized that the County and Los Alamos National Laboratory remain in the ‘set’ phase of ‘ready, set, Read More
Scam Alert: DPU Will Never Require Phone Payments
COUNTY News:
Beware of phishing scams again, per the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU).
Customers have recently reported receiving scam phone calls stating utility payments must be made immediately during the call to avoid disconnection.
While DPU may reach out to customers about past due payments by phone, the department’s representatives will never require that a payment be made over the phone.
In the calls reported to DPU, the callers identified themselves as representing PNM, the Public Service Company of New Mexico. All Los Alamos and White Rock properties with utilities Read More
Cerro Pelado Fire Morning Video: Friday May 13
Video of Great Basin Team 1 Public Information Officer Mary Cernicek speaking early this morning with the Los Alamos Daily Post on the status of the Cerro Pelado Fire overnight. Watch for this evening’s video update in which Cernicek will give a briefing on the status of the fire throughout today at ladailypost.com. Video by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com Read More
New Mexico County Insurance Authority Announces Board Officer Election Results
Taos County Commissioner Jim Fambro
NMCIA News:
SANTA FE — At its first regular Board meeting following the Jan. 19 General Membership meeting, the New Mexico County Insurance Authority (NMCIA) Board of Directors held elections for officers Wednesday, May 11.
Officers will serve until the first regular board meeting in 2023.
By a unanimous vote, the NMCIA Board of Directors re-elected Curry County Manager Lance Pyle as Chair along with Santa Fe County Manager Gregory S. Shaffer as Vice Chair. The board re-elected Taos County Commissioner Jim Fambro as the New Mexico Counties Board Representative. Read More
Los Alamos Fire Department Celebrates Academy 29 Recruits, Promotions And Service Anniversaries
From left, Cadets Adam Willman, Justin King and Brian Thomas are congratulated by Chief Troy Hughes on their graduation from Academy 29. Photo by Louisa Martinez/LAFD
Ruben Martinez, left, receiving his 5-year service anniversary certificate from Fire Chief Troy Hughes. Photo by Louisa Martinez/LAFD
Engineer Samuel Meyersick receiving his 10-year anniversary certificate from Chief Troy Hughes. Photo by Louisa Martinez/LAFD
Capt. Chris Rondeau celebrating his promotion with his family. Photo by Louisa Martinez/LAFD
Driver Engineer Andres Madueno celebrating his promotion with Read More
Cerro Pelado Fire May 12 Update: Smallest Growth Yet, Crews Remain Focused On Alamo Canyon, Winds Improve
LANL News:
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos County, the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Los Alamos Field Office and the Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management Los Alamos Field Office this afternoon issued the following update to the community on the status of the Cerro Pelado Fire.
The Cerro Pelado Fire burning in the Jemez Mountains grew by only 490 acres overnight, the smallest growth since the fire began, due in part to firefighting efforts and the characteristics of the fire itself.
More than 1,000 personnel are now working the fire.
With calmer Read More
County To Conduct CodeRED Emergency Alert Test Friday
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Emergency Management will conduct a CodeRED emergency alert test at 3 p.m. Friday, May 13.
The test will be sent to all Los Alamos County residents enrolled in the CodeRED system, and should be received via phone call, text message and/or email, based on the preferences chosen by the resident when enrolled.
The test is in response to an issue identified after the previous message sent Sunday, May 8.
“Several residents didn’t receive Sunday’s message, or only received it via one method despite having signed up for multiple methods;” Los Alamos County Emergency Manager Read More
Cerro Pelado Fire Update: 43,887 Acres Burned, 11 Percent Contained, 1,032 Personnel On Site
USDA Forest Service News:
As of this morning, the Cerro Pelado Fire has consumed 43,887 acres in the Jemez Mountains and is 11 contained with 1,032 personnel on site.
Public Meeting: 5:30 p.m. today, May, 12 in Griffith Gymnasium at Los Alamos High School, 1300 Diamond Dr. in Los Alamos. This meeting also will be livestreamed on the Cerro Pelado Fire Information Facebook page and on Zoom.
Equipment: 45 engines, 27 hand crews, 7 initial attack crews, 15 helicopters, 2 scooper planes, 19 water tenders, 10 dozers, 1 masticator, 2 ambulances and 1 rapid medical extraction unit. Two Air National Guard Read More
Los Alamos DPU Eases Outdoor Watering Curtailment
COUNTY News:
Relaxed guidance on watering during the Set stage of evacuation preparedness will allow Los Alamos County property owners to irrigate fully again.
The Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities (DPU) previously issued a request for businesses and residents within the county to refrain from outdoor watering due to the Cerro Pelado Fire.
“We realize the county may be in the Set stage of Ready, Set, Go for a while,” Utility Manager Philo Shelton said. “With the winds slowing down some and less water evaporating into the air, we feel like this is a good time to turn our attention Read More
Cerro Pelado Fire Evening Video: Wednesday May 11
Video of Great Basin Team 1 Public Information Officer Mary Cernicek speaking this evening with the Los Alamos Daily Post on what occurred throughout the day with the Cerro Pelado Fire. Watch for a video update in the morning in which Cernicek will give a briefing on what occurred overnight with the fire at ladailypost.com. Video by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com Read More
Cerro Pelado Fire Update: Fire Sees Least Overnight Growth Since It Started, Crews Now Focused On Alamo Canyon
A Skycrane draws water from a tank at the Inter-Agency Fire Center at LANL. Firefighters had air support from helicopters and heavy tankers for most of today. Courtesy/LANL
LANL News:
Despite red flag conditions (high wind, low humidity) the Cerro Pelado Fire did not see significant growth Tuesday night. The fire grew 885 acres, from 42,491 acres yesterday to 43,376 acres today, which is the least overnight growth since it started.
More than 1,000 personnel are now working the fire. Overnight firefighting operations focused on Alamo Ridge and Alamo Canyon, where crews are taking actions Read More
Cerro Pelado Fire: 43,376 Acres Burned, 11% Contained
USDA Forest Service News:
Personnel and Equipment: 1,017 total personnel; 47 engines, 11 Type 1 hand crews, 15 Type 2 hand crews, 6 Type 2 initial attack crews, 9 helicopters, 2 scooper planes, 10 dozers, 1 masticator, 2 ambulances, 1 rapid medical extraction unit and 17 water tenders. 2 Air National Guard helicopters are on standby.
Tuesday: A Red Flag Weather warning was in effect. Though the area experienced strong gusts and low relative humidity (RH), no drastic fire movement occurred. Wind conditions allowed air operations to continue throughout most of the day, with scooper planes and Read More
Los Alamos County Initiates ‘Operation Save The Bears’
To protect bears and residents, Los Alamos County is kicking off ‘Operation Save the Bears’. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
Operation Save the Bears is an initiative by Los Alamos County Environmental Services to deploy bear-resistant dumpsters and roll carts for all Los Alamos County businesses and residential households.
In FY22, the Los Alamos County Council allocated $2.4 million to implement the project. Existing commercial trash dumpsters and residential roll carts will be collected and repurposed as recycle dumpsters/roll carts or salvaged depending on the condition.
Why Was It Read More
Canceled: North Mesa Housing Committee Meeting
COUNTY News:
The North Mesa Housing Committee meeting scheduled for noon Friday, May 13 is canceled. Read More
2022 Primary: Make Your ‘Ready, Set, Go’ Voting Plans
Election Workers ready to greet voters earlier today in Council Chambers, the first day of In-Person Early Voting for the 2022 Primary Election, from left, Debra Baker, Norma Tech, Leslie Esquibel, Zoe Robles Rivera, Sharyl Hofer, Marilyn Rohn and Linda Fox. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
Today marked the start of in-person early voting for the 2022 Primary Election, and County Clerk Naomi Maestas would like to let residents know that her office is working hard to make sure citizens are still able to vote while the community is impacted by the Cerro Pelado Fire.
As the County moves between the “Ready, Read More
County Update On Leisure Lagoon And Aquatic Center
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County informed residents March 31 that the opening of the Leisure Lagoon was postponed to late June due to supply chain issues involving vital pool equipment.
Unfortunately, these supply issues continue to delay shipment of this equipment further postponing opening of the pool, possibly to mid or late August.
The contractor and pool engineers thoroughly investigated alternative equipment and supply sources and found no other available options to date. Staff is working closely with the construction and design team to open the new facility as soon as possible even Read More
