Fire

Ag Dept. Proposes New Solutions To Protect Forests

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USDA News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The U.S. Department of Agriculture and a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators announced a new strategy for improving wildfire management across the nation’s forestlands Thursday.
 
Statement from Defenders of Wildlife’s Director of Federal Lands Pete Nelson:
 
“We are facing unprecedented challenges in wildfire management, and there are no silver bullets. As climate-driven wildfires become the new normal, we need to focus on consensus-based, science-driven wildfire management solutions, rather than finger-pointing, name calling and
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LAFD Hosts Community-Driven Strategic Planning Input Sessions At Fuller Lodge Monday

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As part of a community-driven strategic planning process being implemented by the Los Alamos County Fire Department, members of the community recommended by command staff , including Don Taylor and Liz Cavasos, left, were invited to attend two sessions Monday morning at Fuller Lodge to offer their input. Fire Chief Troy Hughes said earlier that the LAFD was hosting the two sessions to gain a better understanding of the Department’s customers’ expectations, to identify community concerns that might exist and to determine the community’s priorities regarding programs and services provided Read More

Update: Penasco Fire Burns 12 Acres

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SFNF News:

The lightning sparked Penasco Fire that began Aug. 8  in the Coyote Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest has now consumed 12 acres of Ponderosa Pine and mixed conifer and is zero percent contained. 

Situation: The Penasco Fire is in the Rio Chama Wilderness near the 2017 Ojitos Fire burn scar and is one quarter of a mile from the Continental Divide Trail (CDT). Due to the fire’s proximity, Santa Fe National Forest officials urge the public to remain on the trail and proceed with caution if traveling along CDT #813 from the Ojitos Trailhead at Scull Bridge on the Chama Read More

Update: Sarca Fire Burns 178 Acres … 60% Contained

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SFNF News:
 

Lightning sparked the Sarca Fire July 7  in the Agua Sarca drainage area of the Pecos Wilderness – Santa Fe National Forest. The fire has now consumed 178 acres of Ponderosa Pine.

Fuel: Ponderosa pine and other mixed conifer

 
Resources: Monitoring from the ground
 
Weather: 60 percent chance of rain tonight and 70 percent tomorrow with possible lightning.
 
Situation: Fire behavior is minimal. Firefighters were able to walk the perimeter of the fire and put check lines in place to reduce forward movement of the fire, which is in a northerly direction.
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Penasco Fire Ignites In Coyote Ranger District Today

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SFNF News:

The Penasco Fire ignited today in the Coyote Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest and there are approximately 5 to 10 acres burning on the ground with some single tree torching.

Start Date: Aug. 8

Cause: Unknown

Size: 5 to 10 acres

Location: Coyote Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest

Containment: 0 percent

Resources: 0

Situation: The Penasco Fire is in a remote area of the Rio Chama Wilderness in the 2017 Ojitos Fire burn scar. The fire is approximately 5 to 10 acres burning on the ground with some single tree torching. Due to safety concerns, no resources will be committed Read More

Couple Douses Abandoned Campfire Burning In Jemez

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This morning while walking their dog up in the Jemez, a couple came across this abandoned campfire that was still burning. Using a shovel they had in the back of their truck and jugs of water, the couple extinguished the fire. “I realize there’s a lot to think about these days, but how can anyone leave a HOT campfire? If the fires in California aren’t part of one’s awareness or the lack of snow this last winter, how about the smoky skies?” Bernice Williams said. “It is pretty unbelievable! Reminds me of the lady who threw a lit cigarette butt out the window of the car in front of me when we were evacuating Read More

Lightning Sparks Cerro Fire On BLM Land Sunday

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BLM News:

ALBUQUERQUE – Lightning from a storm Sunday, Aug. 6, started the Cerro Fire on Bureau of Land Management lands southwest of Grants. 

The fire is now 20 acres in size and being managed by local BLM resources.

The fire is burning in piñon and juniper woodlands and ponderosa pine forest. No homes or structures are threated. Firefighters have been suppressing the northern portion of the fire adjacent to private land in order to establish an anchor point. Tactics will be used that will yield a high probability of success and meet land management objectives, while allowing for the safety Read More

Update: Venado Fire Burns 4,150 Acres

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SFNF News:

The lightning sparked Venado Fire that began July 20 in the Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest has consumed 4,150 acres of Ponderosa Pine and is now 66 percent contained.

Weather: Rain is forecasted through today, then a drying trend with above normal temperatures, until another round of predicted rain arrives later next week

 
Resources: 94 personnel
 
Situation: Resources completed containment lines on the Western Flank of the fire from Deer Creek Landing to above the Joaquin Drainage and FR 488. The entire fire perimeter is now in Mop up phase and containment
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Update: Cochiti Mesa Fire Burns Quarter Acre

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SFNF News:
 
The Cochiti Mesa Fire sparked by lightning and frst reported July 28 in the Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest has consumed a quarter of an acre of dead and downed ponderosa pine and mixed conifer and is zero percent contained.
 
Start Date: Reported July 28
 
Cause: Lightning
 
Size: Quarter acre
 
Location: Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest
 
Containment: 0 percent
 
Fuel: Dead and downed ponderosa pine and mixed conifer
 
Weather: Partly cloudy, scattered showers
 
Resources: 1 engine and 1 utility
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LAFD Sends Second Truck To Carr Fire In California

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The Los Alamos Fire Department has sent a second truck, Brush-1, to the Carr Fire near Redding, Calif. On board are Capt. Tim Johnson, Capt. Dan DeVall and Firefighter Patrick Thoma. The crew is part of a New Mexico Task Force comprised of firefighters from Albuquerque, Corrales, Angel Fire and McKiinley County. Courtesy photo

Firefighters from Los Alamos, Albuquerque, Angel Fire, Corrales and McKiinley County prepare to leave New Mexico Wednesday morning and travel to California to assist with fire suppression. Courtesy photo Read More