Fire

Landowner Efforts Support Battle Against Rincon Fire

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SFNF News:

The Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4 now in command of the Rincon Fire hosted a community meeting Thursday night in the Mora High School Lecture Hall. Local residents attended in-person at the high school, while more than 80 participants viewed the live video on Facebook.

A full recording of the meeting is now available at https://facebook.com/santafeNF/. No account is required to view the video. 

The incident management team continues to observe and assess the fire activity. The New Mexico State Forestry Division and private landowners have completed a considerable Read More

SFNF: Aviation Crews Remain Diligent On Rincon Fire

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SFNF News:

Despite surrounding thunderstorms and lightning, no new fire starts were detected Friday. The Southwest Area Incident Management Team 4 continues to monitor the fire area and remains prepared to respond to any new movement.

Lightning sparked the Rincon Fire June 11 in the Pecos Wilderness, Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District, approximately 25 miles northwest of Las Vegas, N.M. The fire has consume 532 acres and remains zero percent contained.

As weather permits, firefighters are continuing to fly over the fire area to search for any remaining signs of smoke or heat. Although eight Read More

LAFD Provides Refreshing Water Fun For Barranca Students

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Since it has been so warm lately, Barranca Mesa Elementary School Principal Gina Terrazas invited the Los Alamos Fire Department to stop by Friday to cool students off at the school. Courtesy photo

Barranca Principal Gina Terrazas provides popsicles for the students Friday at the school. Courtesy photo 

Scene from refreshing water fun provided by LAFD Friday at Barranca School. Courtesy photo

Scene from refreshing water fun provided by LAFD Friday at Barranca School. Courtesy photo

Scene from refreshing water fun provided by LAFD Friday at Barranca School. Courtesy photo

Scene from refreshing Read More

Scenes From Pinion Elementary School Water Party

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Scene of Los Alamos Firefighters contributing to the fun underway today during the water party at Pinion Elementary School in White Rock. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Pinion Elementary School Principal Ivanna Austell and 6th grade teacher Lana Martin take the plunge in the last day of school water party. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Scene of students having fun today during the water party at Pinion Elementary School in White Rock. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Scene of students having fun today during the water party at Pinion Elementary School in White Rock. Photo Read More

Due To Ongoing Drought And High Fire Danger SFNF To Implement Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Effective Thursday

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SFNF News:

SANTA FE — Due to ongoing drought and high fire danger, the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) is implementing Stage 1 fire restrictions forest-wide with a new order that takes effect 8 a.m. Thursday, June 17.

The west side of the forest has been in Stage 1 fire restrictions since May 24.

Stage 1 fire restrictions are a proactive way to reduce the very real risk of human-caused wildfire, protect natural and cultural resources, and enhance public and firefighter safety. 

Forest managers use several criteria to determine when to implement restrictions, including current and predicted Read More

SFNF Issues Closure Order For Rincon Fire In Pecos Wilderness Effective 6 AM Wednesday June 16

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Map of the area where the lightning caused Rincon Fire is burning in the Pecos Wilderness. Courtesy/SFNF

SFNF News:

SANTA FE – The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) today issued a closure order to protect public health and safety during fire operations on the Rincon Fire.

The order will be in effect from 6 a.m. Wednesday, June 16, through Dec. 31, 2021, unless rescinded earlier.

The lightning-caused Rincon Fire was reported June 11, roughly 2 miles east of Hamilton Mesa and 6 miles northwest of the village of Upper Rociada in the Pecos Wilderness on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District.

The Southwest Read More

New Mexico Governor Urges Local Restrictions On Fireworks Due To Drought

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STATE News:

SANTA FE – Due to critical drought conditions across New Mexico, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed an executive order urging New Mexico cities and counties to consider banning the retail sale of fireworks in the state until drought conditions improve.

While state statute does not enable the executive to implement a statewide ban on fireworks, the Governor’s Office encourages and appreciates cities and counties taking action to prevent wildfires. 

Nearly 90 percent of New Mexico is experiencing at least severe drought conditions, with significant portions of the Read More

Rincon Fire Consumes 516 Acres … Zero Percent Contained

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SFNF News:

The Rincon Fire sparked by lightning June 11 has consumed 516 acres and is zero percent contained. 

The fire is burning in steep, rocky terrain at 11,000-feet elevation and the fire behavior is active today with flames backing downslope to the Rio Mora. The challenging topography and heavy fuel load are major factors in determining suppression tactics for the Rincon Fire. The 10-person crew completed structure protection today on Beatty’s Cabin.

Location: Pecos Wilderness, Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest, approximately 2 miles east of Hamilton Mesa Read More

Rincon Fire Consumes 200+ Acres In Pecos Wilderness

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SFNF News:

The Rincon Fire has consumes more than 200 acres. It began Friday in the Pecos Wilderness, Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District on the Santa Fe National Forest, approximately 2 miles east of Hamilton Mesa and 6 air miles northwest of the village of Upper Rociada.

The fire is zero percent contained and the cause unknown. It is burning in steep, rocky terrain at 11,000-feet elevation. Although fire behavior moderated somewhat today, fire managers are still expecting to see extreme fire behavior on the Rincon Fire due to the fuel load and the topography.

Fire managers continue to work on a suppression Read More

SFNF: Rincon Fire In Pecos Wilderness Consumes 150 Acres

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View of the Rincon Fire ignited today in the Pecos Wilderness on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District. Photo by Delbert Romero/ladailypost.com

SFNF News:

The Rincon Fire ignited today in the Pecos Wilderness in the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District, approximately 2 miles east of Hamilton Mesa and 6 air miles northwest of the village of Upper Rociada.

The cause remains unknown and the fire has consumed approximately 150 acres and is zero percent contained.

Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) are assessing the Rincon Fire and planning a minimum-impact suppression strategy within Read More