Fire

Wildfire Preparedness Is Year-Round: Celebrate With One Less Spark

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Forest Service Guild News:

SANTA FE — In New Mexico, July usually marks the beginning of monsoon season, and with monsoons comes lightning, but not always rain.

As Fourth of July approaches, remember fireworks are always illegal on federal lands in New Mexico no matter what day of the year.

Let’s work together to prevent unwanted human-caused fires for the month of July! This month’s ­Wildfire Preparedness Is Year-Round” Message is “Celebrate with One Less Spark!”

Leaving fireworks to the professionals reduces the risk of injury, unintentional wildfire starts, roof damage, and litter.

Consider Read More

Lightning Strike Sparks South Fork Fire In New Mexico

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FBI News:

Mescalero – Wildland fire and law enforcement investigators completed the investigation into the cause of the South Fork Fire. The identification of the point of origin and all evidence and data support lightning as the cause of the fire. Human activity and factors did not contribute to the cause.

The investigation was conducted by wildland fire investigators and law enforcement officers from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Bureau of Land Management, U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Mescalero Conservation Law Enforcement Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Read More

Prohibited & Permissible Fireworks In Los Alamos County

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COUNTY News:

As July 4th approaches, thoughts turn to outdoor events and of course fireworks. Make sure your Independence Day activities do not turn tragic by following some simple rules and guidelines.

The Los Alamos Fire Department’s (LAFD) Fire Marshal wants to share a list of prohibited and permissible fireworks which is in accordance with New Mexico State Statue, which is the Fireworks Licensing and Safety Act 60-2C7 which describes permissible and non-permissible fireworks.

Remember “legal” does not mean that fireworks are safe; remember these are explosives and should be used Read More

SFNF: Wildfire Prevention Ahead Of 4th Of July Holiday

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SFNF News:

SANTA FE — Every year, thousands of wildfires are sparked on public lands by fireworks. Fireworks are illegal to use in national forests every day of the year. You can help the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF)  to prevent unwanted human-caused wildfires by practicing safe and responsible campfire management.

Responsible campfire tips:

  • Campfire rings should be clear of flammable debris for three feet in every direction.
  • All campfires must be extinguished before campers depart their campsites, even if they will only be gone for a couple of hours.
  • For more information on responsible
Read More

Rep. Stansbury, Sen. Merkley Lead Letter To FEMA Urging Critical Policy Changes

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U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury

STATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) led a bicameral letter with Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to use all available resources to respond to the threats of extreme heat and wildfire smoke facing American communities.

Reps. Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), and Joe Neguse (CO-02) joined as co-leads and 60 other members of Congress signed the letter.   

“Extreme heat is a growing environmental justice issue,” the lawmakers said. “Heat is the leading weather-related Read More

Fort Stanton Live Postponed Due To Lincoln County Fires

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Historic white row buildings at Fort Stanton Historic Site. Courtesy/Tira Howard Photography

NMDCA News:

New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA) announces that due to Fort Stanton Historic Site’s proximity to the South Fork and Salt wildfires in the Ruidoso and Mescalero areas of Lincoln County, the July 13 event, Fort Stanton Live, has been postponed until the fall.

While the site has not been under imminent fire risk, the emergency needs of the community are essential. Fort Stanton Historic Site supports the emergency and recovery efforts for the surrounding communities.

Held Read More

Santa Fe National Forest Implements Closure Order In Española Ranger District To Prevent Further Unauthorized Long-term Camping, Vandalism, Trash Dumping

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SFNF News:

  • Camping Area Closure At Headquarters Well

SANTA FE — The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) has issued a camping closure order (03-10-06-24-07) for Headquarters Well in the Española Ranger District to prevent further resource damage caused by an increase in unauthorized long-term camping, vandalism, and trash dumping.

While the closure order is in place the SFNF will conduct critical restoration and rehabilitation work to address resource damage and implement a long-term management plan for the area.

This order shall be in effect from June 21, 2024, at 0800 through December 31, Read More

LAFD Douses Kitchen Fire At Home On 45th Street

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The Los Alamos Fire Department responded this afternoon to a house fire on 45th Street off Sandia Drive. Fire Marshall James Pepe told the Los Alamos Daily Post at 3:15 p.m. today that the fire had been doused but firefighters were still on scene finishing up. The cause of the fire is under investigation, Pepe said; however, it occurred in the kitchen and initially appears to be caused by food burning on the stove. No injuries were reported.  Photo by Ray Laskey

A firefighter coils up a hose at the scene of the house fire this afternoon on 45th Street. Photo by Ray Laskey

LAFD on the scene of a house fire Read More

Amendment To Major Disaster Declaration Opens DUA Due To Flooding Related To New Mexico’s South Fork And Salt Fires, Adds Otero County

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New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions News:

ALBUQUERQUE – The Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued an amendment adding Otero County and flooding to the notice of Major Disaster Declaration in New Mexico related to South Fork and Salt Fires as declared by the President on June 20, 2024. 

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to individuals whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of the 2024 Wildfires in the areas of Lincoln County, Otero County, and the Mescalero Apache Tribe.  Read More

Robinson: FEMA Revamps New Mexico Operations

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By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2024 New Mexico News Services

As Ruidoso area residents return to their homes – or what’s left of their homes – we’ll be watching FEMA.

For the past two years, since the disastrous Hermit’s Peak-Calf Canyon fires, we’ve heard more about what FEMA hasn’t done than what it has done.

This year the agency began changing its New Mexico operation. Jay Mitchell, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s new head of New Mexico operations, announced major changes. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell stood next to the governor at a recent news conference, promising, “We Read More