Fire

LAFD Breaks Down Fire Danger Levels

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The public is alerted about fire danger levels through adjectives and colors based on the National Fire Danger Rating System’s criteria. Courtesy image
 
By MAIRE O’NEILL
Los Alamos Daily Post
maire@ladailypostcom

More than 100 years ago, fire managers decided it was time to develop a fire rating system to predict the potential for large fire activity. Then in the 1930s, a fire danger meter that included some of the environmental variables we have today was developed.

The National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) is a system that allows land agencies to estimate today’s or tomorrow’s

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Valles Caldera National Preserve Plans Prescribed Burn For Valle San Antonio

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NPS News:
 
JEMEZ SPRINGS — Valles Caldera National Preserve is planning to implement a prescribed burn targeting up to 1,050 acres of meadow grassland in Valle San Antonio, located in the northwest portion of the preserve’s backcountry.
 
The burn operations are planned for late March or April, dependent upon suitable weather and fuel conditions, and should take one to three days to complete. The area is currently under a seasonal closure, so impacts to visitors will be minimal.
 
NPS officials hope to reintroduce fire into the meadow grasslands, which would result in a low
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Scenes From St. Baldrick’s Fundraiser Wednesday

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Convincing people to buy St. Baldrick’s t-shirts at Wednesday evening’s fundraiser for the Foundation at Bathtub Row Brewing Co-Op, from left, Sophia Jones, Olivia Ortega and Isabella Casias. ​St. Baldricks Foundation is a volunteer and donor powered charity committed to supporting the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com

Volunteers cooking food at Wednesday evening’s fundraiser for St. Baldrick’s Foundation at Bathtub Row Brewing Co-Op, from left, David Read More

LAFD Offers Defensible Space Advice In Anticipation Of Tough Fire Season

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LAFD Wildland Division Chief Kelly Sterna and Marisol Padilla of the Department’s Community Outreach Program are preparing information on defensible space for the public in anticipation of the upcoming fire season. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com

 

 
By MAIRE O’NEILL
Los Alamos Daily Post
maire@ladailypost.com

With more than 60 percent of the state in severe drought conditions, and fire officials predicting what could possibly be the worst fire season in a decade, Los Alamos Fire Department, particularly the Wildland Fire Division, has been gearing Read More

County Employees Request Investigation Of Councilor

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Los Alamos Fire Marshal Jeff Wetteland, left, and Chief Building Official Michael Arellano review construction plans recently. The two men filed a request for an investigation of County Councilor James Chrobocinski Feb. 15 with County Human Resources Manager Denise Cassel. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com

 

By MAIRE O’NEILL

Los Alamos Daily Post

maire@ladailypost.com

Two Los Alamos County employees have filed a request for an investigation into County Councilor James Chrobocinski alleging harassment and intimidation under Los Alamos Code Ordinance No. 02-240, Read More

BLM Taos Field Office Plans Burn Near Tres Piedras

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BLM News:
 
TAOS ― The Bureau of Land Management will be conducting a 1600-acre prescribed burn in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument on Cerro Montoso, 12 miles northeast of Tres Piedras. 
 
The prescribed burn will be conducted for up to 30 days beginning as early as March 19 depending on weather conditions. Smoke may be visible from highways US 285 and US 64.
 
The purpose of the project is to improve forest health in ponderosa pine and piñon/juniper, by reducing flammable accumulations of vegetation and reintroducing fire to a fire-dependent
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Jemez Ranger District Cebollita Prescribed Burns

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SFNF News:
 
SANTA FE ― To take advantage of favorable conditions, to include fuel moisture levels, air quality and weather forecasts, fire managers on the Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) expect to conduct a broadcast prescribed burn sometime in March and/or April. 
 
Due to recent moisture, the potential prescribed burn start is currently delayed to the latter part of March. The prescribed burn in the Cebollita area is to reduce the risk of high-severity wildfire and is not anticipated to continue past April 30. 
 
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LAFD Hosts Arson Investigators Conference

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International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) officials at their conference in Los Alamos Feb. 28- March 2, from right, Los Alamos Fire Department Senior Life & Safety Coordinator Stephen Rinaldi, IAAI Director Jim Kanavy and New Mexico IAAI President Clay Bailey. Rinaldi is also a board member of the New Mexico Chapter. Courtesy photo

IAAI conference members view the results of an explosion inside a small structure for demonstration purposes during IAAI conference activities at Los Alamos National Laboratory’s TA-49 area. Courtesy photo

LAFD News

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Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District East Rowe Mesa Prescribed Burn To Resume

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SFNF News:
 
SANTA FE ― Due to conditions, to include fuel moisture levels, air quality and weather forecasts, fire managers on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) expect to resume ignitions on the East Rowe Mesa prescribed burn area this week.  
 
The treatment is designed to improve wildlife habitat and promote forest health. As weather conditions permit, the East Rowe Mesa prescribed burn could continue into April.
 
Between March 7 and March 9 last week, fire crews met objectives by treating approximately
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Santa Fe Watershed Prescribed Burn Planned Today

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SFNF News:
 
SANTA FE ― Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) plan to take advantage of favorable conditions, including fuel moisture levels, air quality, and winds and weather forecasts to initiate a one-day prescribed burn in the Santa Fe Watershed Thursday, March 8.
 
With thirty five percent of the 755-acre treatment area under snow pack, the areas adjacent to the snow pack are to be treated. 
 
The treatment area is approximately three miles east of the City of Santa Fe on the south end between Nichols and McClure Reservoirs. Impacts from
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