Fire

SFNF: Crews Complete Cuervito Fire Burnout Operations

by

SFNF News:

Today crews focused on holding and securing the line after completing the last 300+ acres on the southern end of the fire Thursday.

The only ignitions today were hand ignitions to clean up interior pockets of fuel. Burnout operations are now complete on the Cuervito Fire.

Firefighters’ efforts will now focus on holding the perimeter and monitoring the Cuervito Fire.  

Start date: May 9, 2021

Cause: Lightning          

Location: 9 miles east of Pecos and 3 miles southwest of the Barillas Lookout on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF)

Size: 1,621 Read More

Los Alamos Rapid Response COVID-19 Watchlist: May 1-19

by

NMED News:

The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) statewide Rapid Response COVID-19 Watchlist for May 1 through May 19 show a number of positive cases reported at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Los Alamos Fire Department:

The “All Rapid Responses” data is a minimally processed dataset that represents positive cases in the workplace that are reported to the Environment Department through the Department of Health or by employers through the mandatory reporting requirement. Think of it as a readout of all positive cases reported as NMED receives them.

Some important notes about Read More

SFNF Revises Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Monday May 24

by

SFNF News:

SANTA FE — The recent pattern of showers and thunderstorms has provided some relief from dry conditions on the east side of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF), but the west side of the forest has not been as fortunate.

As a result, the SFNF will implement Stage 1 fire restrictions only on forest lands located west of US Highway 84/285 at 8 a.m. Monday, 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 Read More

SFNF Takes Command Of Cuervito Fire Friday

by

SFNF News:

SANTA FE – The Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) spent its final day on the Cuervito Fire today preparing to turn command of the fire back to the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) at 6 a.m. Friday.

Since May 13, the IMT has used hand and aerial ignitions to add low- to moderate-intensity fire to the ground as part of a management strategy to use this lightning-caused wildfire to achieve significant benefits on the ground and reduce the risk of high-severity wildfire in the future.

Location:  9 miles east of Pecos and 3 miles southwest of the Barillas Lookout on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger Read More

LAFD Wildland Division Chief Chief Kelly Sterna Updates Rotarians On 2021 Fire Season

by

Wildland Division Chief Kelly Sterna

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

Less than average snowpack, drier than usual monsoon season and major anniversaries of two large fires are all ingredients in a recipe for disaster. And Los Alamos could be served with an active wildland season this year due to these conditions, the Rotary Club of Los Alamos learned during its meeting Tuesday.

Wildland Division Chief Kelly Sterna reported that fire restrictions will go into effect, probably May 24.

“We’re sitting at the 10-year anniversary of Las Conchas Fire, the 21-year Read More

SFNF: Quiet Day On Cuervito Fire

by

SFNF News:

SANTA FE – As the vicinity of the Cuervito Fire received welcome moisture over the last few days, the Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) is wrapping up operations and preparing to turn command of the fire back to the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) at 6 a.m. Friday morning.

Since lightning sparked the Cuervito Fire on Mother’s Day, crews have successfully managed the naturally ignited wildfire to achieve significant resource benefits, reducing the buildup of hazardous fuels and the risk of high-severity fire in the future.

Location:  9 miles east of Pecos and 3 miles southwest of Read More

Memories And Gratitudes Mark The 21st Anniversary Of The Cerro Grande Fire

by

Scene from the parade in May 2001 marking the first anniversary of the Cerro Grande Fire. Photo by Zhen Huang 

Scene from the parade in May 2001 marking the first anniversary of the Cerro Grande Fire. Photo by Zhen Huang

By ZHEN HUANG
Los Alamos 

May 4, of 2021 marked the 21st anniversary of the Cerro Grande Fire. Two decades of time could have wiped out a lot of memories, however, I could never forget the heartfelt kindness and graceful support my family received from the Native Americans of our Pojoaque Pueblo neighboring community. 

Twenty one years ago, I was a foreign scientist at LANL. My parents Read More

SFNF: Weather Stalls Operations On Cuervito Fire

by

Site of the Cuervito Fire on the Santa Fe National Forest. Courtesy/inciweb

SFNF News:

SANTA FE — While a weather cell over the Cuervito Fire on the Santa Fe National Forest put a hold on operations during much of the day, the Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) continued releasing resources from the fire.

Since lightning sparked the Cuervito Fire on Mother’s Day, crews have successfully added low- to moderate-intensity fire to the ground to reduce the hazardous build-up of heavy vegetation, including dead and down timber and needle litter on the forest floor.

Managing a naturally ignited Read More

Los Alamos County Enters Stage 1 Fire Restrictions  

by

COUNTY News:

Los Alamos Fire Department Fire Marshal Wendy Servey announced today that she is enacting Stage 1 Fire Restrictions for Los Alamos County, effective Monday, May 24.

Servey said the decision was made in partnership with LAFD’s Wildland Division today after reviewing the potential threat of wildfire.

“Seasonal fire restrictions are often developed based on specific criteria related to wildland fire risk, such as moisture content of vegetation, weather outlooks, human risk factors and firefighting resource availability,” Survey said. “Cooperation of agency partners (Los Read More

SFNF: Hand And Aerial Ignitions Continue On Cuervito Fire

by

SFNF News:

SANTA FE — The Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) in command of the lightning-caused Cuervito Fire on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) is continuing with both hand and aerial ignitions today as part of a management strategy to use low- to moderate-intensity fire to reduce the hazardous build-up of heavy vegetation, including dead and down timber and needle litter on the forest floor.

Location: 9 miles east of Pecos and 3 miles southwest of the Barillas Lookout on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District

Start Date: May 9, 2021

Size: Approximately 1,300 acres with the potential for Read More