Fire

Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford Chosen To Serve As Grand Marshal Of 2024 New Mexico State Fair Parade

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Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford

State Fair News:

Each year thousands of New Mexicans and visitors line the streets of Route 66 to take in the sights and sounds and witness the incredible floats and displays that make up the New Mexico State Fair Parade.

As is custom, the parade honors notable New Mexicans by naming a grand marshal. With the selection of Mayor Lynn Crawford of Ruidoso to serve as the grand marshal for the parade, which took place today, Sept. 7, this year is no exception. Crawford’s exemplary leadership, particularly during the challenging times of the South Fork and Salt fires, has made Read More

Public Comment Period Opens For Fire Fuels Mitigation Project Around TA-72 At Los Alamos National Laboratory

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NNSA News:

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is proposing a fire fuels mitigation project in lower Sandia Canyon at the Technical Area 72 Outdoor Live Fire Range and surrounding areas at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).

This assessment focuses on activities occurring in the Sandia Canyon 100-year floodplain that include:

  • Vegetation maintenance that involves mowing and thinning of the defensible space around the existing buildings;
  • Vegetation maintenance under the existing above ground power line right-of-way; 
  • Vegetation maintenance along the existing
Read More

NPS Seeks Public Comment On Valles Caldera’s Environmental Assessment In Fire Management Plan

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NPS News;

JEMEZ SPRINGS — The National Park Service (NPS) has prepared a fire management plan for Valles Caldera National Preserve and is seeking public input on the plan’s environmental assessment Sept. 3 through Oct. 3.

The assessment defines two alternatives for managing wildland fires in Valles Caldera to protect visitors, infrastructure, and park resources – a no action option and the park’s preferred action. Under the no action option, the NPS would suppress all naturally-caused fires.

Under the preferred action option, in addition to fire suppression, the NPS can manage wildland Read More

DFA Funds 190 Firefighter And EMT Positions Statewide

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State News:

          • $24.9 million in awards

SANTA FE—The New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) has awarded 59 local public entities funding for an additional 190 firefighter and EMT positions across the state.

The $24.9 million in grants will help offset the cost of new firefighter and EMT salaries for three years.

“Firefighters are on the front lines protecting our communities from potentially devastating blazes everyday,” said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. “As fires––and especially wildfires––grow more frequent and more intense in and around New Mexico communities, it Read More

U.S. Attorney & FBI Charge Rio Rancho Woman With Federal Firearms Offenses Including Possession Of Loaded Colt .38

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE – A Rio Rancho woman was charged by criminal complaint for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition while using controlled substances.

Courtney Leigh Sparks, 39, appeared before a federal judge on July 23, 2024, and will be placed on conditions of release in the third-party custody of a halfway house pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

According to court documents, on March 15, 2024, the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) arrested Sparks after she collided into an Albuquerque Fire and Rescue fire truck. Sparks appeared intoxicated and was arrested Read More

Governor Signs House Bill 1 To Provide $100 Million For Fire And Flood Recovery In New Mexico

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From the Office of the Governor:

SANTA FE – Today, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 1, appropriating $100 million to support recovery efforts following the South Fork and Salt fires, as well as ongoing flooding.

“The legislature’s failure to prioritize public safety for New Mexicans during the special session is deeply disappointing,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “However, I am relieved that we managed to secure aid for critical recovery efforts in communities damaged by fire and flooding.”

The $100 million in funding will be allocated as follows:

  • $10 million for the Mescalero
Read More

SFNF: Update On Tanques Wildfire In Cuba Ranger District

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The Tanques Wildfire has burned 2,745 acres approximately 27 miles north of Cuba. Courtesy/SFNF

SFNF News:

The Tanques Wildfire is burning on the northwest corner of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) in the Cuba Ranger District, approximately 27 miles north of Cuba.

  • Start Date: July 18, 2024
  • Size: 2,745 acres with a planned perimeter of 7,000 acres
  • Percent completed: 35%
  • Cause: Lightning
  • Vegetation: The wildfire is burning in ponderosa pine, pinyon-juniper, and oak.
  • Resources: 36 personnel including aerial resources
  • Overview: Santa Fe National Forest will manage the fire as a Type 3 incident
Read More

New Mexico Office Of Insurance Reviewing Its Legal Options Following District Court’s Ruling That State Farm Need Not Comply With Provision Of Amended Emergency Order

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New Mexico Superintendent of Insurance Alice T. Kane

OSI News:

SANTA FE — The Santa Fe District Court ruled July 23 that it would not require State Farm and Casualty Company (“State Farm”) to comply with the provision of the New Mexico Superintendent of Insurance’s Amended Emergency Order that sought to require insurance companies to pay $5,000 in living expenses to policyholders forced to evacuate as a result of the South Fork and Salt Fires if the consumer’s insurance policy covered Additional Living Expenses (“ALE”).

New Mexico Superintendent of Insurance Alice T. Kane issued the following Read More

Glorieta Camps Prescribed Fire Project Fact Sheet

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SFNF News:

Overview

The Glorieta Camps Prescribed Fire Project is a collaborative prescribed fire project between Glorieta Camps, Santa Fe National Forest, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), New Mexico State Forestry, and the Forest Stewards Guild.

Background

Starting in 2021 Glorieta Camps reached out to The Forest Stewards Guild to provide prescribed fire support. Working together they completed several pile burns over three winters covering 180 acres. These pile burns built fire resiliency at the camp and surrounding forests by reducing fuels and provided an opportunity Read More

 Santa Fe National Forest Responds To Small Fire And Chemical Spill Along Hyde Park Road

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SFNF News:

SANTA FE – On Wednesday July 17, Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) was notified by Ski Santa Fe that a delivery truck carrying Hydrogen Peroxide caught fire in their parking lot.

SFNF fire resources and City of Santa Fe Fire Department responded immediately, containing both the spill and fire.

The truck company dispatched a Hazmat (hazardous materials) team, and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) was notified.

The public may see work being done in the area as the soil is excavated to be sampled and analyzed for hazardous materials.

Dumpsters have been placed in a Forest Service Read More