Fire

Large Fire At Friedman Recycling Center Used By Los Alamos County Has Been Contained

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Los Alamos County sends its recycling materials to the Friedman Recycling Center in Albuquerque where a large fire erupted this morning and has been contained. Courtesy photo

By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com

Firefighters have contained a large fire that erupted this morning at the Friedman Recycling Center at 5021 Edith NE Boulevard in Albuquerque.

Los Alamos County sends its recycling materials to the Friedman Recycling Center.

“It is too soon to tell what, if any, long term impacts today’s fire will have on the ability of the center to operate,” County Public

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Car Erupts Into Flames In Central Park Square

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Firefighters respond this morning to the scene of a parked car that suddenly burst into flames in Central Park Square in downtown Los Alamos. It appears that no one sustained injuries. Deputy Fire Chief Steve Dawald told the Los Alamos Daily Post that a rat or squirrel nest built under the hood likely sparked the blaze. Chief Dawald added that the fire was primarily contained in the engine compartment of the vehicle. Photo by Sarafina Aguino

Scene this morning of firefighters responding to a car fire in Central Park Square. Firefighters quickly doused the blaze likely caused by a rat or squirrel Read More

LAFD Continues Testing Fire Hydrants Throughout County

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Firefighters test water pressure and flush out sediments in a fire hydrant Friday on Trinity Drive. Testing continues through the end of the month across the community. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

LAFD News:

Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD) testing of fire hydrants throughout the community began in May and continues through the end of September. 

The purpose of hydrant testing is to ensure that they will provide an adequate water supply for fire suppression and to flush out sediments that have accumulated in the water distribution system over the past year.

These tests are part

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BAER Rapid Assessment Of Medio Fire Severity, Impacts

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Map depicting the perimeter of the preliminary burn severity of the Medio Fire. Courtesy/SFNF

Map depicting post Medio Fire runoff potential. Courtesy/SFNF

SFNF News:

SANTA FE — The Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team assigned to the Medio Fire on the Santa Fe National Fire (SFNF) completed a rapid assessment of the fire’s effects, including the potential for post-fire flooding, erosion and sedimentation.

The BAER Team’s primary focus was on immediate risks to human life and safety. 

The team used satellite imagery to map the burn severity of the approximately 4,000-acre Read More

New Mexico Firefighters Again Headed To California To Assist With Wildfires; Los Alamos County Sends Resources

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STATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) announced Wednesday that New Mexico firefighters are en route to California to help crews battle wildfires.

This is the second mobilization this year by New Mexico in response to California wildfires.

The New Mexico Task Force departed from Albuquerque Fire and Rescue’s (AFR) Training Academy Wednesday morning with six engines and crews. AFR’s Capt. Brian Fox has been assigned as the leader of the task force, consisting of 20 total firefighting personnel.

Four departments Read More

Valles Caldera Plans Fall Prescribed Burns Sept. 30-Dec. 31

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Prescribed burns are planned at the Valles Caldera to reduce fuels loads and improve forest resilience. Courtesy photo

VCNP News:

JEMEZ SPRINGS — The National Park Service (NPS) is planning to initiate prescribed fires in the southwest corner of Valles Caldera National Preserve later this fall to reduce hazardous fuels, improve wildlife habitat, and create healthier, more resilient forest and watershed ecosystems.

The prescribed burns, planned Sept. 30 to Dec. 31, include 361 acres in the Southwest Banco Bonito area, directly adjacent to N.M. 4 near mile marker 30, and 154 acres in Cajete Read More

Santa Fe National Forest Considers Fall Prescribed Burns

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SFNF News:

SANTA FE — Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) are taking a carefully considered look at resuming the limited use of prescribed fire to reduce hazardous fuels, improve wildlife habitat, and create healthier, more resilient forest and watershed ecosystems.

A final decision on whether to proceed with a specific prescribed burn will depend on multiple conditions, including the national wildland fire preparedness level and resource availability, fuel moisture levels, air quality and forecasted weather.

The SFNF also will take a risk-informed approach to managing Read More

Medio Fire Burns 4,010 Acres; Now 100 Percent Contained

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SFNF News:

This is the final update on the Medio Fire on the Rio en Medio Trail in the Española Ranger District unless conditions change.

The 4,010 acre Medio Fire, sparked by lightning Aug. 17, is now 100 percent contained. Firefighters are monitoring the perimeter to ensure the lines are holding and the edges are cold.

As temperatures warm this week, crews will watch for hot spots in the fire’s interior that may cause visible smoke. Crews will continue to monitor the Medio Fire over the next few days.

A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team is assessing the Medio Fire’s potential effects on Read More

Santa Fe National Forest Lifts Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

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Acting Forest Supervisor Debbie Cress

SFNF News:

SANTA FE — The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) lifted campfire and smoking restrictions effective 8 a.m. today, Sept. 11, due to widespread moisture across the forest and decreasing fire danger.

The forest implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions Aug. 26 to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfire during consistent drought conditions, historically low fuel moisture levels and severe fire weather conditions.

Stage 1 fire restrictions also helped firefighting resources focus efforts on the 4,010-acre Medio Fire and other wildfire starts Read More

Medio Fire Update: Substantial Rain Minimizes Growth

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Forest restoration treatments and prescribed fire have helped in suppression efforts on the Medio Fire. A video produced by The Nature Conservancy and Forest Stewards Guild features Operations Section Chief Buck Wickham for the Southwest Area Incident Management Team 4 and Fuels Program Manager Dennis Carril: www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/QjbyItrKBZE.

SFNF News:

The Medio Fire has received substantial precipitation minimizing fire behavior and growth.

No flooding has been reported. Firefighters continue to monitor containment lines on the fire’s perimeter as drier weather Read More