Fire

Wildfire Contained To Acre At East Fork In The Jemez Today

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COUNTY News:

Sandoval County and the U.S. Forest Service responded this afternoon to a small wildfire at East Fork in the Jemez Mountains. A Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD) response was not requested.

Residents may see and smell smoke in the area, but LAFD officials indicate there is no cause for alarm. The fire was contained to one acre, and crews will remain on scene to ensure no flare-ups.

LAFD reminds the community to be extra cautious and aware of the concerning fire conditions following the dry winter season.

Visit the Ready, Set, Go page on the County website to learn how to prepare for wildfire Read More

Colorado Cordova Named Los Alamos County Fire Marshal

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Newly promoted Los Alamos County Fire Marshal Colorado Cordova, right, receives his new helmet and badge at a special gathering with Chief Troy Hughes, center left, and Deputy Chief Wendy Servey, far left, Tuesday morning at the Fire Administration Building at 999 Central Ave. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com

  • “I’ve been doing this for 40 years and there is no one more ready…” –Chief Troy Hughes

When newly promoted Division Chief/Fire Marshal Colorado Cordova came to town 19 years ago he was searching for a satisfying Read More

It Takes A Community To Navigate Dire Wildfire Season

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Wildland Fire Chief Kelly Sterna speaks with homeowners Ruth and Jim Doyle as he prepares to conduct a free wildland fire home assessment last fall of their North Mesa residence. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

“It’s going to take everybody doing the right thing to really harden our community to wildland fire,” –Wildland Fire Chief Kelly Sterna

It is only March but the seasonal outlook for wildfires is already looking dire.

During a recent Los Alamos Local Emergency Planning Committee meeting, Los Alamos Wildland Read More

New Pipeline To Make Pajarito Ski Area New Mexico’s Snowmaking Capital

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PAJARITO News:

Los Alamos County announced the Jemez Mountain Fire Protection Project, a groundbreaking public-private collaboration that will revolutionize snowmaking at Pajarito Mountain while enhancing fire suppression efforts in the Jemez.

The project includes the construction of a pipeline from Los Alamos to Pajarito, as well as upgraded electric and fiber optic utilities along Camp May Road.

Scheduled to begin April 1, 2025, the pipeline will deliver water to a 250,000-gallon tank at the base of the ski area, ensuring consistent, season-long snowmaking. This infrastructure Read More

Los Alamos Fire Department To Conduct Specialized Scenario-based Training At Aquatics Center March 24-29

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LAFD News:

The Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD), in collaboration with multiple agencies, will be conducting specialized, scenario-based training focused on responding to a drowning victim at the Los Alamos County Aquatic Center.

This critical training exercise will take place March 24-29 and will involve LAFD personnel, Los Alamos County (LAC) Dispatchers, lifeguards and emergency room physicians from Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC).

The public should not be alarmed by the presence of emergency personnel at the Aquatic Center.

These sessions will take place during normal pool operating Read More

DFA, Counties And Fire And EMS Associations Urge New Mexico House Of Representatives To Pass Critical 911 Modernization Bill  

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DFA Secretary Wayne Propst 

DFA News:

SANTA FE – The Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), New Mexico Counties, and Metro Fire Chief Association are calling on the New Mexico House of Representatives to pass Senate Bill 137, sponsored by Senator Michael Padilla, which would provide essential funding for local communities to modernize their 911 systems.

New Mexico’s emergency response infrastructure has fallen behind neighboring states and risks further deterioration without immediate investment in next-generation technology that would make emergency response faster, Read More

Santa Fe National Forest Rescinds Medio Fire Closure Order And Reopens Access To Popular Trails

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SFNF News:

SANTA FE — The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) rescinded the Medio Fire closure order, effective 8 a.m. Friday, March 14, 2025.

The closure area included all Forest Service lands, roads, and trails within an area that is roughly defined by Rio Nambe Trail #160 on the north, Borrego Trail #150 and Forest Road 412 on the east, Forest Road 102 on the south, and back up the forest boundary line on the west to meet Rio Nambe Trail #160.

The closure order was implemented after the Medio Fire in 2021 to protect public health and safety. While roads and trails in the area no longer fall under this Read More

Bill To Protect Residents In High-Risk Wildfire Areas Passes The New Mexico Senate

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The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo

New Mexico Senate News:

SANTA FE – Senate Bill 81, a bipartisan measure aimed at protecting New Mexico residents in the wake of devastating fires, Saturday passed the floor of the New Mexico Senate (34-1). The bill, sponsored by Senator Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe) and Representative Harlan Vincent (R-Ruidoso), in partnership with the Office of Superintendent of Insurance (OSI), addresses the urgent need for increased property insurance coverage in the state, especially in light of recent natural disasters.

Senate Bill 81 aims to expand and enhance Read More

Legislative Roundup: 15 Days Remaining In Session

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HB 137 Sponsor Rep. Susan Herrera, D-Embudo

The Santa Fe New Mexican Staff:

Water’s for agreeing: The formerly controversial Strategic Water Supply Act may be controversial no longer.

House Bill 137 sailed through the House of Representatives on a 57-4 vote Friday, with four Democrats opposed. The bill was amended last month to remove the most controversial provision allowing the treatment of fracking wastewater, leaving only provisions dealing with treating brackish water for other uses.

“By developing New Mexico’s brackish water resources, we’re charting a new course that balances Read More

Pyramid Cafe Owner Shares Plans For Summer Re-Opening Following January Fire

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Pyramid Cafe Owner Mohammed ‘Ziggy’ Rzig spent time at the Los Alamos Daily Post last week discussing the fire that damaged the kitchen of his eatery Jan. 12 at 157 Central Park Square and his plans to re-open this summer. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com

Pyramid Cafe Owner Mohammed “Ziggy” Rzig hopes to re-open his restaurant at 157 Central Park Square, following a Jan. 12 fire that broke out in the kitchen, which is shared with his Los Alamos Cantina restaurant.

“The fire started at about 5 or 6 in the morning,” Rzig said. “There

Read More