Fire

Public Comment Sought on Las Conchas Reforestation Project

November 21, 2012 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

SFNF News:

The public is being invited to comment on a proposal to reforest approximately 1,800 to 2,510 acres of national forest system lands that were burned during the 2011 Las Conchas Fire on the Jemez and Española Ranger Districts of the Santa Fe National Forest.

The purpose of this project is to reestablish forest cover to areas severely damaged by the Las Conchas fire.

This spring, approximately 425,000 ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir seedlings will be planted on 1,800 to 2,510 acres of land within the Las Conchas Fire perimeter located in the Jemez Mountains west and Read More

Letter to the Editor: Los Alamos Fire Department Earns High Praise

November 5, 2012 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

By Jaret McDonald

Ladies and Gentlemen, I want to tell you a story about how great our Los Alamos Fire Department is.

They are the most professional and clearly the most awesome team of experienced people that tried to help save my friend David Sturm.

Each of us should go to sleep each night and pay homage to our brothers who wait for us to have an emergency.

Thanks to our friends …all of them at the Los Alamos Fire Department. Each of them will have a home where ever I am at, God Bless you all.

Thank You! I love you all.

Chief Grider, you are an amazing leader. Please make sure you are there for a long time. Read More

Two Men Die Saturday in Jemez Mountains

November 4, 2012 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

A Black Hawk helicopter on its way to the accident site where a Sierra De Los Pinos man fell to his death Saturday. Courtesy/LAFD

By Carol A. Clark

Tragedy struck the Jemez Mountains Saturday as two men died in separate accidents.

Thomas A. Ilg, 54, a Technical Staff Member at Los Alamos National Laboratory fell to his death while hiking near Forest Road 10 and Forest Road 269.

A Sierra De Los Pinos man in his mid-fifties fell to his death while cutting a tree on a hillside in Cochiti. His name is being withheld pending notification of his next of kin.

“We received a call for assistance at Read More

Teen Loses Control of Vehicle on Canyon Road

November 2, 2012 by Submitted by CSTadmin

Skid marks map the trail traveled by an out-of-control vehicle driven by a teenager involved in a one-car crash this morning on Canyon Road. Photo by Greg Kendall/ladailypost.com

By Greg Kendall

At approximately 8 a.m. this morning, Friday Nov. 2, a white honda accord driven by a 17-year-old Los Alamos boy hit a guard-rail while heading southbound on Canyon Road.

No injuries were reported in the one-car accident in which the teen’s vehicle reportedly skidded across the two-lane road approximately 100 yards before spinning around and coming to a stop in front of the United Church Read More

Local Fire Agencies Warn About Fall Fire Danger!

October 31, 2012 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

LAFD News:

Local Fire Agencies Warn About Fall Fire Danger – Please Be Fire Safe!

As the fall and winter holidays approach and more New Mexicans plan vacations or hunting trips close to home, local, federal and state fire agencies are urging caution about fire danger across many parts of the state.

Lack of moisture and warm mild conditions this fall have caused fine, grassy fuels and brush to dry, making them susceptible to wildfire.

While the immediate region shows Northern New Mexico at “High” Fire Danger risk, Los Alamos County will remain at “Moderate” risk until there is snow on the ground and

Chaparral Prescribed Burn Planned Today

October 30, 2012 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

SFNF News:

The Santa Fe National Forest plans to begin the Chaparral prescribed burn Monday, Oct. 29, two miles south of the Rancho del Chaparral Girl Scout Camp.

Aerial ignitions are planned to assist with treating approximately 1,365 acres over a three-day period.

This controlled burn may produce some visible/noticeable smoke in our area depending upon wind and atmospheric conditions.

Smoke will be visible from Gillman, Jemez Pueblo, Jemez Springs, Cuba, Rio Rancho and Albuquerque.

Smoke from prescribed fire can be a nuisance to some people and a health concern for others, such as children, Read More

San Juan Prescribed Burn 100 Percent Complete

October 20, 2012 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

SFNF News:

Fire managers have completed ignitions for the week on the 7,300 acre San Juan prescribed burn, Jemez Ranger District.

All 7,300 acres were successfully treated over a three day period. The prescribed burn was completed two days early to avoid additional smoke impacts.

There will be no burning on the Santa Fe National Forest this weekend.

Next week, if conditions are favorable, fire managers will continue prescribed burning on the Chaparral prescribed burn, Cuba Ranger District.

The Chaparral prescribed burn is a smaller burn compared to the San Jun Prescribed Burn, therefore Read More

San Juan Prescribed Burn 95 Percent Complete

October 19, 2012 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

SFNF News:

San Juan Prescribed Burn 95 percent Complete – 7,000 acres treated, 300 acres remain

Fire managers have completed ignitions on the San Juan prescribed burn for today, Thursday, Oct. 18.

Today, 5,750 acres were successfully treated with hand and aerial ignitions. Since yesterday, 7,000 acres have been treated.

Favorable conditions allowed fire managers to treat a greater area today and complete most of the burn, therefore limiting the number of days smoke will be in the air.

Tonight, firefighters will remain on-site monitoring the burn area.

Tomorrow, if conditions Read More

Santa Fe National Forest Fire Management Notification

October 18, 2012 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

SFNF News:

Fire managers have successfully treated 1,250 acres of the 7,300 acres scheduled scheduled for up to five days on the San Juan prescribed burn.

Flames and fire are visible from Cat and San Juan Mesas at night and residents will see a “glowing mountain” … this is expected so don’t be alarmed.

Ignitions have started again today on the San Juan prescribed burn and fire managers will continue using hand ignitions to create a blackline along the southeastern/western perimeter of the burn area.

Blacklining consists of pre-burning of woody material on the ground adjacent to control Read More

San Juan Prescribed Burn Begins Today

October 17, 2012 by Submitted by Press Release-DailyPost

SFNF News:

Beginning today, Wednesday Oct. 17, if conditions are favorable, fire managers plan to begin the 7,300 acre San Juan prescribed burn, located 3-5 miles northeast of Jemez Springs.

Approximately 2,500 acres are expected to be treated each day. Prescribed burning is the managed application of fire to wildland fuels (woody material) under specified conditions, within predetermined boundaries in an effort to reduce hazardous fuels, provide community protection, and restore forest health.

The burn area is located three to five miles northeast of the Jemez Springs and four Read More