Fire

Facts About Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Compensation

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FEMA News:

The Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act states compensation for losses resulting from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire is not considered income for federal, state and local taxes.

Additionally, entitlement programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, welfare programs and other social programs WILL NOT be affected.

Know the facts about Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon claims compensation:

RUMOR: Compensation from the Claims Office is taxable.

FACT: The Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act says compensation received from Read More

County Moves Forward With Emergency Ops Center Plans

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Architectural drawing of preferred design option for Emergency Operations Center. Courtesy/LAC

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

As Emergency Service Commander Beverley Simpson noted during the March 26 Los Alamos County Council meeting, “Los Alamos is not immune to disaster”.

The community has endured wildfires, floods, blizzards, hurricane-like winds and the COVID-19 outbreak. Each incident required an Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Simpson said, however, there isn’t an actual EOC facility so operations were set up in “rooms of opportunity” Read More

U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján Issues Statement Ahead Of Two-Year Anniversary Of Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire

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U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján

U.S. SENATE News:

SANTA FE — Friday, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) released the following statement ahead of the two-year anniversary of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire that devastated communities in New Mexico.

In the years since the fire, Luján and the New Mexico Delegation have delivered a total of $3.95 billion for the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire recovery.

Luján, the lead sponsor of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act, has continually pressed the federal government to move quickly and efficiently to get New Mexicans relief. 

“The Hermit’s Read More

Forest Stewards Guild: Getting Your Home In Condition To Resist Wildfire Ignitions

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Forest Stewards Guild News:

SANTA FE — As we enter springtime, we have an opportunity to prepare for the drier conditions and wildfire season.

April is a great time to do spring cleaning around your property and create the spacing that can help protect your home. The Forest Stewards Guild and Fire Adapted New Mexico (FACNM) is working with local, state, federal, and Tribal partners and non-governmental organizations to provide monthly wildfire preparedness tips and information. As the snow melts off, our theme for April is: Get Your Home in Condition to Resist Wildfire Ignitions.

The Living Read More

Santa Fe National Forest Uses Variety Of Techniques To Monitor Prescribed Fire Projects

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A fixed wing aircraft with infrared flew over the Pacheco Canyon pile burn project in the Espanola Ranger District. Heat was detected on the first flight identified by the bright white light in Photo 1. Courtesy/SFNF

The second flight detected no heat within and outside the unit perimeter. Courtesy/SFNF

SFNF News:

SANTA FE — As spring weather brings warmer temperatures and high winds to northern New Mexico the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) wants to share with our communities that fire managers utilize a variety of techniques to monitor, and patrol prescribed fire projects from the 2023-2024 Read More

FEMA Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office In Las Vegas Extends Hours To 10 PM On Monday April 8

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FEMA News:

SANTA FE — The FEMA Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office in Las Vegas will remain open until 10 p.m., Monday, April 8, resuming regular business hours Tuesday, April 9.

Individuals impacted by the fire and flooding who have filed a claim with the Claims Office or are interested in learning more about the claims process are encouraged to take advantage of the extended hours.

Navigators, Claims Reviewers, Advocates and other Claims Office staff will be available to provide one-on-one assistance and resources to support recovery efforts, such as:

  • Receiving Notices of Loss
  • Receiving
Read More

Encino Vista Landscape Restoration Project Public Comment Period Is Open

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Treated area in the northwest part of the Encino Vista Project area, which is planned to be burned again during the project. Photo by Jonathan Glass

By SARA HYDEN
The Forest Advocate

The Forest Service is analyzing the largest cutting and burning project ever proposed for the Santa Fe National Forest, the Encino Vista Landscape Restoration Project. The Preliminary Environmental Assessment was released March 15.

The project has been little publicized by the Forest Service. Only nine members of the public attended two recent meetings about the project environmental assessment.

The Encino Read More

Defensible Space Is Crucial For Protecting Structures

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From Los Alamos County:

Defensible space is crucial for protecting structures and ensuring the safety of firefighters during a wildland fire. You can create defensible space by removing weeds, brush, and firewood, and by properly spacing out vegetation around your property. Once this space is established, it will be easy to maintain.

Defensible space is the area around your home in which vegetation, debris, and other combustible fuels have been removed to slow the spread of fire to and from the home. It prevents vegetation from igniting due to direct flame contact and spreading to your home. Read More

Lt. Gov. Howie Morales, Former AG Hector Balderas To Headline Event Commemorating 2nd Anniversary Of Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire

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CFFF News:

LAS VEGAS, N.M. — The Coalition for Fire Fund Fairness (CFFF) – a grassroots coalition of victims of the 2022 Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire in Northern New Mexico – today announced that it will host an exclusive screening of the documentary “Mora is Burning,” followed by a panel discussion on the aftermath of the fire and FEMA’s ongoing failures to administer federal relief funds in accordance with state and federal law.

The event will feature remarks from former New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas. New Mexico Lt. Gov. Howie Morales will headline the panel discussion, Read More

Los Alamos Fire Department To Host Wildfire Day 2024 With Elks Annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday March 30

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Scene from previous Wildfire Day and Easter Egg Hunt. Courtesy/LAFD

Scene from previous Wildfire Day and Easter Egg Hunt. Courtesy photo

LAFD News:

Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD) and the Los Alamos Elks Lodge invite the community to join the festivities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Mar. 30 at Ashley Pond Park (2200 Trinity Dr.) for Wildfire Day 2024 and the Annual Elk’s Easter Egg Hunt.

This family-friendly, outreach event includes a close look at LAFD and Los Alamos Police Department specialty equipment, a bicycle safety helmet fitting and distribution, a Classic Air Medical Helicopter Read More