Fire

Los Alamos Firefighters Assist Hikers On Deer Trap Mesa

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Scene this evening of Los Alamos Firefighters and EMTs responding to a couple of hikers in need of help getting out of Deer Trap Mesa near the trailhead. Initial reports indicate there are no serious injuries. Deer Trap Mesa extends east from Barranca Mesa and is named for a game pit found close to the start of the trail. The mesa is a natural area with fragile soil and it is not an appropriate spot for bicycles or horses. Its relative isolation makes it an attractive location for wildlife viewing, studying wildflowers and simply enjoying the view. Walking is easy, except for a short section of rock Read More

Los Alamos County Prepares For COVID-19

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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Los Alamos County Emergency Operations Center is set up at the Los Alamos Police Department and currently operating virtually. Courtesy/LAC

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

Los Alamos County and Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) have prepared for when the COVID-19 coronavirus makes its way into the community.

One case has been announced. N3B, a Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) contractor that handles legacy waste cleanup, informed employees late Monday that one of its workers tested positive for COVID-19. Read More

LAFD Wildfire Fuels Reduction Mitigation Gets Underway

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Los Alamos Fire Department map of the wildfire fuels reduction project area. Courtesy LAFD

LAFD News:

Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD) will begin work this week on an important wildfire fuels reduction project that will provide much-needed mitigation in several areas of Los Alamos.

LAFD has received grant funding for the project, which will include the following areas:

  • Ponderosa Estates Range Road;
  • North Horse Stable Bench;
  • Walnut Bench, Villa Bench;
  • Lower Loma Linda;
  • Camino Redondo; and
  • Camino Uva.

Starting Thursday, April 2, LAFD crews along with crews from Santa Fe County will begin Read More

SFNF Suspends Prescribed Burns During COVID-19 Outbreak

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Prescribed burns are postponed until further notice on the Santa Fe National Forest. Courtesy/SFNF

SFNF News:

SANTA FE — Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Santa Fe National Forest has announced that all planned prescribed burns have been postponed until further notice. 

Potential smoke impacts to the public are always considered in prescribed fire and wildfire management.

The decision to postpone ignitions will:

  • prevent any effects from smoke that might further endanger at-risk members of our communities; and
  • reduce exposure for Forest Service employees, cooperators and other resources
Read More

On The Job In Los Alamos: Speaking To First Responders

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On the job in Los Alamos Tuesday evening is Hospital Chaplain S.S. SarbSarang K. Khalsa, speaking to the Los Alamos County Chaplain Corps. and Behavioral Health Response Team gathered at the Los Alamos Fire Administration Training Room, 999 Central Ave. Khalsa shares information about the Sikhs faith to give first responders a greater understanding when assisting people of the Sikhs community. She explains about the Five Articles of Faith, which includes a steel bracelet (Kara) that represents self-restraint and a link to God. #worklosalamos #where discoveriesaremade. Photo by Jenn Read More

SFNF Plans Prescribed Burn On Rowe Mesa

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Scene of a previous prescribed burn. Courtesy photo

SFNF News:

SANTA FE — Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) are planning to conduct a prescribed burn on east Rowe Mesa on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District sometime between March 16 and April 30, if conditions, including fuel moisture levels, air quality, wind direction and weather forecasts, remain favorable. 

The 4,200-acre treatment area is east of State Highway 34 along Rowe Mesa, 10 miles south of Pecos, NM. Crews will use hand and aerial ignitions to reduce the risk of wildfire, recycle nutrients and improve wildlife Read More

SFNF: La Presa Prescribed Burn Planned March 19

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SFNF News:

SANTA FE — Fire managers on the Coyote Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) are planning to conduct the La Presa prescribed burn on Mesa Los Indios as early as March 19.

The decision to proceed will depend on favorable conditions, including fuel moisture levels, air quality, wind direction and weather forecasts. 

Crews will use hand ignitions to treat the 700-acre La Presa unit, targeting jackpots of fuel with high moisture content, which will help limit fire spread and smoke.

Prescribed fire is one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring Read More

Prescribed Burns Begin Near Tres Piedras And Cerro

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BLM News:

TAOS — Beginning today and continuing for up to 30 days, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will be conducting prescribed burns in the Río Grande del Norte National Monument on the Guadalupe Mountains south of Cerro and approximately 7 miles west on Pot Mountain.

Smoke may be visible from N.M. 522, U.S. 285 and U.S. 64. 

This project will employ management-ignited prescribed fire to reduce hazardous fuel loadings that could contribute to high intensity crown fire under the right conditions.

Historic uses and active fire suppression have interrupted the natural fire regime in this Read More

Public Invited To Fire Preparedness Workshop April 25

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COMMUNITY News:

The public is cordially invited to attend a free Fire Preparedness Workshop 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 25.

The workshop is at the Jemez Mountain Baptist Church, 6 Riverview Court in Jemez Springs: from La Cueva, at mile marker 26 on N.M. 4, turn at the junction with N.M. 126 and travel for one mile in the direction of Fenton Lake.   

This 10th annual event is sponsored by the La Cueva District of Sandoval County Fire Rescue, Jemez Mountain Baptist Church and Jemez Mountains Firewise Communities (JMFC.) 

Is your property adjacent to a wildland-urban interface? Communities Read More

Firefighter John P. Kelley Has Resigned Effective Today

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COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County Firefighter John P. Kelley has submitted his resignation from the Los Alamos Fire Department effective today, Feb. 25, 2020.

Kelley was arrested Friday, Feb. 21 and charged with sexual exploitation of a child/possession.

Kelley had been placed on inactive duty status and placed on leave without pay, pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation and in accordance with personnel policy.

Because this is an ongoing criminal investigation, the County will have no other comment at this time.

Read More