Fire

Update: Venado Fire Burns 1,071 Acres

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SFNF News:

Lightning sparked the Venado Fire that began Friday in the Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest, which has now consumed 1,071 acres of Ponderosa Pine.

 

Start Date: July 20

Cause: Lightning

Size: 1,071 acres

Location:  Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest

Containment: 0 percent

Fuel: Ponderosa Pine

Weather: Low-level moisture is moving toward the Venado Fire, increasing the chance for precipitation. Possible thunderstorms may bring lightning, heavy rain and gusty winds.

Resources on scene: Four interagency hotshot crews, one type Read More

Hidden Valley Firing Operations Finishing Today

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Smoke visible today from downtown Los Alamos of the Hidden Valley Fire burning in the VCNP. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladilypost.com

VCNP News: 

JEMEZ SPRINGS – Firing operations to manage the lightning-caused Hidden Valley Fire are expected to be completed today. Favorable conditions Saturday allowed firefighters to treat an additional 150 acres on the south and southwest portions of South Mountain, for a total of approximately 450 acres.

Smoke from management operations will be visible from all directions coming into the Jemez Mountains area and may linger in surrounding Read More

Update: Venado Fire Burns 450 Acres

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SFNF News:

Lightning sparked the Venado Fire that began Friday in the Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest, which has now consumed 450 acres of Ponderosa Pine.

Start Date: July 20

Cause: Lightning

Size: 450 acres

Location: Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest

Containment: 0 Percent

Fuel: Ponderosa Pine

Weather: Light winds, clear skies

Resources on scene: Three hotshot crews, one helicopter with bucket, one dozer, two engines

Situation: The fire is in a remote location on Mesa Venado and in an adjacent drainage area, one mile and a half north of Deer Creek Landing, Read More

Scenes From Pajarito Mountain Ski Patrol Lift Evacuation Training Saturday

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Pajarito Mountain Ski Patroller Gustavo Rogers is lowered from the beginner chairlift Saturday morning by fellow Patroller Scott Charlton during annual lift evacuation refresher training. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com

Pajarito Mountain Ski Patrollers and Los Alamos Fire Department personnel from Station 5 examine ascender equipment used by the ski patrol for lift evacuations during annual lift evacuation refresher training Saturday morning. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com

Pajarito Mountain Ski Patroller and lift evacuation instructor Read More

Wildland Firefighters From Hidden Valley Fire At Valles Caldera Dine In Los Alamos Saturday Evening

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Members of Arizona’s San Carlos Southwest Wildland Firefighters T2 I.A. crew came to Los Alamos Saturday evening and ate dinner at Dominoes Pizza. Crew members said temperatures at the Valles Caldera National Preserve are much easier on them than the 114 degrees in their hometown this week. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com

The Acoma Fire crew from Grants, which has been fighting the lightning-caused Hidden Valley Fire at Valles Caldera National Preserve came to town Saturday evening for dinner at the local McDonalds. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com Read More

Alert: Managed Hidden Valley Fire Underway

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Smoke seen this morning on a drive along the Valle Grande. There are signs posted stating it is a managed burn – do not report. Officials are managing the lightning-caused Hidden Valley Fire to benefit resources within the Valles Caldera National Preserve. For the duration of this fire the South Mountain and Hidden Valley areas of the preserve will be closed to the public. Photo by Marc Bailey Read More

Udate: Lightning Sparks Venado Fire In Jemez Ranger District

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UPDATE: The Venado FIre on the Jemez Ranger District has grown to 50 acres. Due to fire behavior, Forest Road (FR) 376 is closed from Gilman Tunnels to the intersection of FR 488 and FR 376. Area day trip visitors are being notified by USDA Forest Service law enforcement to leave the area. One heavy air tanker is inbound, 1 helicopter with bucket is inbound with one on order, 1 single engine air tanker is inbound with 3 more on order, an additional hot shot crew is inbound, and 1 dozer is inbound. The fire is in a remote location on Mesa Venado and in an adjacent drainage area, 1 mile and a half north of Deer Read More

SFNF: Aragon Fire Update

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Aragon Fire Update:
 
Start Date: July 12
 
Cause: Lightning
 
Size: 150 acres, 50 of which are by fire crew hand ignitions
 
Location: Cuba Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest
 
Containment: 0%
 
Fuel: Ponderosa Pine
 
Weather: warm temperatures, 20% chance for rain
 
Resources: 15 personnel
 
Situation: The fire is in a remote location East of Gallina Peak and West of the Rio Chama Wilderness in the Aragon Spring Area. Fire behavior is low to moderate. Current fire behavior is favorable to improve forest health. Fire managers continue
Read More

Los Alamos County Enters Baseline Fire Restrictions Effective immediately

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LAFD News:

Los Alamos County is dropping from Stage I Fire Restrictions to Baseline Fire Restrictions effective immediately.

Los Alamos County has seen some much-needed relief with the extreme drought conditions that led to the strict Fire Restrictions. Several criteria are used to determine when to implement fire restrictions, including current and predicted weather, as well as fuel moistures. Los Alamos County Fire Department asks that everyone please continue to use extreme caution and practice fire safety.

Los Alamos County Fire Department urges the public to take every precaution Read More

Bandelier, Valles Caldera Lift Fire Restrictions Monday!

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NPS News:

Due to several days of higher humidity and rain, Bandelier National Monument and the Valles Caldera National Preserve will lift fire restrictions, including backcountry closures, at 8 a.m. Monday.

In addition, special use permittees and commercial use operators may resume their normal activities within the two National Park Service units.

“Even though the monsoons have begun, we’re still in drought conditions,” VCNP Superintendent Jorge Silva-Bañuelos said. “We ask that visitors continue to take appropriate precautions while enjoying our national parks and national forests.” Read More