Los Alamos Acting Deputy Fire Chief Tim Johnson and Interim Fire Chief Wendy Servey at an event Tuesday, which recognized the 25th anniversary of the Cerro Grande Fire. The event at the Municipal Building, showcased testimonials, newspaper clippings, photographs and other memorabilia about the fire, which started as a controlled burn in May 2000 but turned into a wildfire that burned 47,650 acres, destroyed 239 structures and displaced some 429 families. In addition to remembering past wildfires, Los Alamos County provided information on what it is doing to minimize the risk of potential Read More
Fire
Webinar Targets Fire Smart Landscaping Noon Thursday
COUNTY News:
The community is invited to join Fire Adapted New Mexico Learning Network’s (FACNM) and Angela Prada, noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, for an informative webinar on fire-resistant plants and commonly found species in New Mexico.
Reducing the wildfire risk around a home doesn’t have to mean removing all vegetation. With the right landscaping strategies, New Mexico residents can help protect their homes while still enjoying beautiful outdoor spaces.
In this webinar, Prada from New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service will explore:
-
Key traits of fire-resistant plants
LAFD Wildland Training Monday At Los Alamos Reservoir
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD) will conduct Wildland Training, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, May 19 at the Los Alamos Reservoir.
This training is part of LAFD’s ongoing commitment to training and ensuring operational readiness.
LAFD asks the community to avoid parking near the reservoir entrance Monday, as it may create access issues for fire crews and equipment during this critical training.
The community’s support helps LAFD stay mission-ready to keep the community safe. Read More
County Council Appoints Wendy Servey Interim Fire Chief
Following her appointment at the May 6 Council meeting, Wendy Servey will serve as interim fire chief for up to one year. Los Alamos County will begin a nationwide search for a new chief later this year. Courtesy/LACCOUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Council unanimously affirmed the appointment of Deputy Fire Chief Wendy Servey to serve as Interim Los Alamos County Fire Chief during the May 6 Regular Session.
Servey began her career at Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD) in 2006 and brings a deep well of experience, technical expertise, and leadership to the position.
“I’m honored to serve the
LAFD Begins Hydrant Testing Around Los Alamos County
Firefighters testing water pressure and flushing out sediments in a fire hydrant in 2020 on Trinity Drive. This year’s testing runs May 19 through Sept. 1 throughout the County. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD) will be testing fire hydrants throughout Los Alamos County May 19 through Sept. 1.
The purpose of testing is to ensure that the hydrants will provide an adequate water supply for fire suppression and to flush out sediments that have accumulated in the water distribution system over the past year.
These tests are part of the regular Read More
Community Invited To Provide Input On Wildfire Prevention
COUNTY News:
A research team from Fire Adapted Communities New Mexico and Northern Arizona University is asking the community’s help in understanding local concerns related to human-caused wildfires in the Los Alamos area.
Los Alamos County is hosting a series of public discussion groups to gather resident perspectives and ideas about wildfire risk, forest restrictions (including closures), and other strategies that could be used to protect the community.
These conversations are confidential. Key points will be summarized and shared with local, state, regional and national wildfire Read More
Los Alamos County Eco Station Services Halted Several Hours Following Radiation Detection Alert Monday May 5
Scene at the Los Alamos County Eco Station Monday afternoon at 3701 East Jemez Road following a Radiation Portal Detector alert after which LAFD and LANL were called to investigate. Courtesy/LAC
LAFD and LANL respond to the scene of a Radiation Portal Detector alert Monday afternoon at the Los Alamos County Eco Station at 3701 East Jemez Road. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Eco Station services were suspended at approximately 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 5, for the remainder of the day, when the Radiation Portal Detectors alerted Environmental Services staff to potential radioactive Read More
Los Alamos Utilities Department Discusses New ‘Power Safety Power Shutoff’ Program To Minimize Risk Of Wildfires Caused At Powerlines
COUNTY News:
To minimize the risk of wildfires caused at powerlines, the Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) has implemented a program for its electric customers called Power Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS).
While electric customers in Los Alamos are not PNM customers, the electricity that the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) delivers to Los Alamos enters the local system through PNM’s electric transmission lines.
DPU Power System Supervisor Nick Nelson wants to educate the community about PSPS and whether or not they might indirectly impact DPU customers.
“It’s possible Read More
Residents Invited To Share Reflections On Cerro Grande Fire
COUNTY News:
Twenty-five years after the Cerro Grande Fire, one of the most defining events in Los Alamos County’s history, officials are inviting community members to share personal memories, reflections, photos or short videos that highlight the unity, compassion and healing that followed in the fire’s aftermath.
Submissions can be made online at lacnm.com/CG2025 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, May 15. Selected contributions will be displayed during a public gathering 4:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, in Room 110 of the Los Alamos County Municipal Building, 1000 Central Ave. Light refreshments Read More
An Open Book: Cerro Grande Fire And Today
By DAVID IZRAELEVITZ
Los Alamos
How is one to honor an event that marked one generation amid another event that will be equally sealed in the memory of the next generation? Maybe, it is to remember that while time does not heal all wounds, it is also true that painful memories gain, in time, the blessing of distance and perspective. As the Cerro Grande Fire was a defining moment in my life in Los Alamos, now, twenty-five years later, we look back and remember and learn, so let us hope that the same will be for our children who see, in these times, their own defining crisis.
Unlike many friends, our loss in Read More