Fire

Pinon Elementary School Playground Vandalized

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LAPS News:

Los Alamos School Superintendent Gene Schmidt announced moments ago that the school district has posted a $1,000 reward for information leading to the identification of the person(s) responsible for the vandalism overnight to the Pinon Elementary School playground on Grand Canyon in White Rock.

Police and members of the Los Alamos Fire Department responded to a call of a fire on the Pinon playground that came in at approximately 1:28 a.m., today from a resident who called Fire Station 3 on N.M. 4.

Police Cpl. Sheldon Simpson, Det. Joey Robinson and firefighters from Engine 10 responded Read More

Pino Fire Underway in Jemez Ranger District

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SFNF News:

The Pino Fire was reported Wednesday on Santa Fe National Forest’s Jemez Ranger District. 

It is approximately one-half acre in size on a spur ridge. The fire is smoldering and no significant growth is anticipated in the next 24 hours. 

No action was taken on the Pino Fire Wednesday because a flash flood warning had been issued for that area and access to the site is limited. As soon as fire managers are able to reach the fire area, they will determine an appropriate course of action.  

The Pino Fire may be managed for resource benefit.  Read More

Prescribed Fire Planned for Santa Fe National Forest

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SFNF News:

Fire managers at Santa Fe National Forest are planning to conduct a pile prescribed fire Aug. 18 to Sept. 28 on the Jemez Ranger District.

The Los Griegos pile prescribed burn may be conducted only on favorable days as conditions allow. A total of 500 acres of piles may be treated in an area adjacent to the Sierra Los Pinos community, 17 miles southwest of Los Alamos. Small blocks of land may be treated each day to decrease the daily smoke volume. 

Prescribed fires are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire dependent ecosystems. These fires Read More

Los Alamos Firefighters Rescue Dehydrated Hiker

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Los Alamos Deputy Fire Chief Justin Grider

Staff Report

Los Alamos firefighters rescued a 77-year-old hiker from Pueblo Canyon Wednesday.

“He was out hiking and became dehydrated and couldn’t make it out so our firefighters located him and transported him to Los Alamos Medical Center where he was treated and released,” Grider said.

The LAFD Training Division provides for and maintains the department’s preparedness for this type of incident that occurs occasionally in canyons throughout the county.

The department has two full time training officers with fire service, instructional Read More

Taos Celebrates Smokey’s 70th Birthday

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Courtesy/CNF

STATE News:

Carson National Forest, Taos Bureau of Land Management and the Town of Taos are joining to host a birthday party 2:30-5 p.m. Saturday afternoon, Aug. 9 in honor of Smokey Bear’s 70th Birthday.

Smokey’s Birthday celebration will include a birthday cake, songs, games, a Smokey Bear poster exhibit and an opportunity for children to have their picture taken with Smokey.  Special guests at the birthday celebration will be surviving members of the Taos Pueblo firefighting crew, the Snowballs, who will recount the story of the discovery of Smokey Bear on a fire in the Read More

LAFD Selects New Fire Marshal and Captain

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New Fire Marshal Jeff Wetteland

LAFD News:

Los Alamos County Fire Chief Troy Hughes announced this morning that two members of LAFD have been promoted, effective today.

Jeff Wetteland has been promoted to battalion chief, in charge of the Fire & Life Safety Division. Wetteland began his career with LAFD in July 2001 and was promoted to captain in April 2009. Chief Wetteland will serve as the County’s fire marshal.

New Fire Capt. Jeff Saiz

Jeff Saiz has been promoted to captain. He was hired in January 2006 and promoted to driver/engineer in February 2011. 

Hughes said both promotions Read More

Fire Restrictions Relaxed Across Los Alamos County

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LAFD News:

Los Alamos County Fire Department relaxed its Fire Restrictions in Los Alamos County Saturday.

This relaxation of fire restrictions is based upon:

  • Local weather improvement, including:

o    Seasonal Monsoon pattern with recent regular rainfall

o    Rising humidity values in the weather

  • Fuel condition improvements, including:

o    Reduction in Fire Danger Level, from Extreme to Moderate and Low for  several weeks

o    Reduction in Ignition Potential

o    Steady increase in the Read More

FEMA Awards $56,858 Grant For Firefighting Equipment For Questa Volunteer Fire Department

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FEMA News:

A fire training academy and 10 fire departments in New Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas have been awarded more than $1.54 million in preparedness grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The grant in New Mexico totals $56,858 and covers the cost of firefighting equipment for the Questa Volunteer Fire Department. The grants in Arkansas total $342,100 and pay for an all-terrain firefighting truck for the Etowah Fire Department and firefighting equipment for the Arkansas Fire Training Academy in Camden.

Read More

Heinrich Video Addresses Wildfire Funding Reform

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Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing July 15, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., continued to push to reform federal wildfire policy by funding major wildfires the same way as other natural disasters, while freeing up funding to prevent future fires.

The committee considered the Administration’s wildfire preparedness and forest service 2015 fiscal year budget proposal, which includes a plan based on a bill Heinrich is co-sponsoring, which would treat the largest fires — roughly Read More

Hydrant Testing Underway Through October

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LAFD News:

The Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD) will be testing fire hydrants throughout Los Alamos County through October. 

The purpose of hydrant testing is to ensure that they 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 hydrant maintenance program and are done in conjunction with the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU). 

LAFD firefighters and vehicles will be visible throughout the community flowing water from Read More