Fire

Scenes Of Accident At Bottom Of Main Hill Road Today

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Scene of a one-vehicle accident this afternoon at the bottom of the Main Hill Road. Witnesses rushed to the vehicle, opened the door and said that the driver was able to climb out on his own. A witness told the Los Alamos Daily Post that the driver was tailgating him all the way down the hill, at times swerving a bit. Just before the turn-off to White Rock the driver gunned it to 50-60 mph driving around the witness, lost control, veered down the slope of the overpass and across the roadway where he smashed into a Jersey Barrier nearly head on. Courtesy photo

Firefighters douse the vehicle with foam. The Read More

BLM Asks Public’s Help Preventing Human-Caused Wildfires

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BLM News:

BOISE, Idaho – The arrival of vacation season and increasing wildfire activity with hot, dry summer weather in the West is prompting the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to ask the public to help prevent wildland fires, the majority of which are caused by people.

The Southwest and Alaska are currently experiencing fire activity, with numerous large wildfires occurring, and other states may experience significant wildfire activity over the next few months.

“Every year, human-caused wildfires comprise approximately 87 percent of all wildfire ignitions across the country, posing Read More

NMDOH, NMED Issue Smoke Advisory For Most Of State

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NMDOH News:
SANTA FE –The New Mexico Department of Health and the New Mexico Environment Department today issue a smoke advisory for the Rio Grande Valley from Taos to Las Cruces and all surrounding communities from 9 p.m. through noon tomorrow, June 19 due to smoke from multiple wildfires burning in Arizona and southwest New Mexico.
Smoke from wildfires may cause people to have more severe reactions if they are infected with COVID-19.
If you have severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing or chest pain, call 911 or go to your nearest hospital. Learn more about how smoke affects those sick with
Read More

New Mexico Governor Urges Local Restrictions On Fireworks 

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The governor urges New Mexico cities and counties to consider banning retail sales of fireworks. Courtesy photo

State News:

  • Executive order cites heightened fire danger due to drought conditions

SANTA FE – Due to worsening 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 through the summer or until drought conditions improve.

Approximately 75 percent of New Mexico is abnormally dry; more than half the state is experiencing at least moderate Read More

Superintendent Of Insurance Russell Toal Reminds New Mexicans To Prepare For Possibility Of Wildfires

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Insurance Superintendent Russell Toal

STATE News:

New Mexico Superintendent of Insurance Russell Toal is reminding New Mexicans that the wildfire season is upon us.

We all need to do our part to minimize the risk of wildfires. This is the time to make sure your insurance is sufficient and up-to-date, to prepare your property, practice fire prevention and have a plan if evacuation is necessary. 

INSURANCE 

Your homeowners or renters insurance policy should be reviewed now to ensure that you have adequate coverage for your property and personal belongings. You can use the NAIC’s Consumer’s Read More

In Key Hearing On Wildfire Management, Heinrich Questions Forest Service On COVID-19 Testing, PPE Resources

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From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) participated in a key Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on wildfire management in the midst of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The impacts of COVID-19, combined with high levels of drought throughout the West, will create unprecedented wildland firefighting challenges and may hurt numerous rural areas across the country, making the 2020 wildfire season potentially one of the most threatening seasons to date.

During the hearing, Senator Heinrich Read More

NWS: Critical Fire Weather Conditions Through Monday

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The National Weather Service forecasts critical fire weather today through Monday across much of northern and central New Mexico. Courtesy/NWS

The National Weather Service forecasts critical fire weather conditions today through Monday and urges everyone to avoid doing anything that can cause a spark. Courtesy/NWS Read More

Special Parade Celebrates Landry Stewart’s 6th Birthday!

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Landry Stewart turned 6 Thursday but due to the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic she could not have a party so to celebrate her special day, friends and family organized a surprise parade past her home on Cheryl Avenue in White Rock that also included Los Alamos firefighters and police. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com 

Landry Stewart waves to a firefighter Thursday during her birthday parade. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Scene from Landry Stewart’s birthday parade past her home Thursday in White Rock. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Another scene from the parade. Read More

Los Alamos Fire Department Turns Out To Honor Labor Relations Manager Sharyl Hofer On Her Retirement

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Fire Chief Troy Hughes presents a retirement certificate to Security and Safeguards/Labor Relations Manager Sharyl Hofer during a procession past her home Wednesday honoring her. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Sharyl Hofer waves at friends Wednesday as they bid her farewell. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

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

Los Alamos Fire Department Security and Safeguards/Labor Relations Manager Sharyl R. Hofer retired Wednesday.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and state order prohibiting large gatherings, rather than Read More

Los Alamos County Moves To Level II Fire Restrictions

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COUNTY News:

Los Alamos Fire Department Fire Marshal Wendy Servey announced today that she is proceeding to Level II Fire Restrictions for Los Alamos County, effective immediately.

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

“While Los Alamos has enjoyed a few rain showers in the past week, there is still a significant threat from wildfire, coupled with ongoing drought conditions and an increase in dry lightning strikes in forested areas,” Servey said, noting that there are currently active fires burning Read More