Environment

Documents Added To LANL Electronic Reading Room

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LANL News:

The following documents have been added to the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Electronic Reading Room.

The document(s) have been submitted to fulfill one or more requirements of the Los Alamos National Laboratory.

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Vista Linda Campground Moves To Reservation Only System

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Vista Linda campground in Jemez Ranger District. Courtesy/SFNF

SFNF News:

SANTA FE — The Jemez Ranger District will transition Vista Linda Campground from a first come, first served campground to a reservation only campground beginning June 30, 2026. The change is intended to improve visitor access and trip planning by allowing campers to reserve sites in advance.

The Forest Service is adapting management practices to better meet visitor expectations and improve campground operations. Transitioning Vista Linda Campground to a reservation-based system will help provide a more predictable Read More

McCauley Springs Fire In The Jemez Consumes 150 Acres 

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An aerial view today of smoke billowing from the McCauley Springs Fire in the Jemez Mountains. The fire is burning about a mile west of Jemez Falls Campground and as of this afternoon the fire has consumed 150 acres. Due to continued N.M. 4 road closures and power outages associated with the fire, Valles Caldera National Preserve will be closed Thursday, June 25. Courtesy/USFS

Forest Service News:
  • McCauley Springs Fire Evening Update
Acres:   
  • 150
Location: 
  • Jemez Ranger District, near Battleship Rock
Cause: 
  • Undetermined
Containment: 
  • 0%
Start Date: 
  • June 24, 2026
Fuels: 
  • Timber
The Northern
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Update On McCauley Spring Fire Burning In The Jemez

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New Mexico Forest Service News:

SANTA FE —The McCauley Springs Fire was detected this morning June 24, on the Jemez Ranger District and is approximately 30 acres.

Coordinating with the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office, the community of Sierra de los Pinos is in “Go” status and currently under evacuation. Sandoval County has set up an evacuation center at Mountain Baptist Church in La Cueva and the Jemez Senior Center.

N.M. 4 is now closed at the main entrance to Valles Caldera National Preserve. Access beyond the closure is restricted to emergency vehicles and authorized personnel. Note: Read More

Blackhawk Helicopter Lands At Los Alamos County Airport

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A Blackhawk helicopter arrived Saturday afternoon at Los Alamos County Airport and Airport Manager Gary Goddard explained that the U.S. Forest Service was responding to the Rio Fire near Chacoma Mountain and the helicopter was dumping water from Abiquiu Lake on the fire. Goddard added that the Rio Fire is contained and the Forest Service is ‘mopping up at this point’. Courtesy photo Read More

Fire Burning In Jemez Mountains; No Threat To Los Alamos

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Location of fire burning this morning in the Jemez Mountains. Courtesy/Watch Duty

COUNTY News:

A fire near Battleship Rock in the Jemez Mountains has been reported this morning and has burned approximately 15 acres. Evacuation orders have been issued for Jemez Falls Campground in the Santa Fe National Forest.

Sandoval Fire is on scene fully suppressing the fire.

Smoke may be visible throughout the day surrounding communities. There is no threat to Los Alamos from this fire.

Use caution if traveling through this area as firefighters may be along N.M. 4.

Further details about the fire can be found Read More

Conservation Groups Move To Stop Destructive Logging On Santa Fe National Forest

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WildEarth Guardians News:

SANTA FE — WildEarth Guardians, the Santa Fe Forest Coalition, and the Forest Advocate today filed a notice of intent to sue the Forest Service over Endangered Species Act violations related to increases in logging approved under the Encino Vista Landscape Restoration Project and the Revised Forest Plan. 

When the Forest Service finalized its 2022 Revised Forest Plan, it approved a 150% increase in commercial logging over the previous 1986 plan, including in areas identified as not suitable for timber production. Toward this end, the Encino Vista project authorized Read More

Wilderness Society Responds To BLM Oil & Gas Rule Rollback Announcement

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Wilderness Society News:

ALBUQUERQUE — The Department of the Interior announced its plan to revise the BLM Oil and Gas Rule (also known as the Fluid Mineral Leases and Leasing Process Rule), which updated and improved a woefully outdated federal oil and gas leasing program that was riddled with de facto subsidies for fossil fuel companies. The Interior Department also announced its plan to roll back regulations aimed at preventing methane waste from oil and gas operations.

Undermining the Rule is another attempt by the administration and its allies in Congress to use the pretense of a national Read More