Fire

Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández Welcome $6 Million For Wildfire Recovery

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Congressional News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) announced over $6,618,321 in federal funding to San Miguel County for reimbursement for county road repairs as a result of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.

The grant now awaits distribution by the New Mexico’s Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management.  

“I will not stop fighting until all New Mexicans impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire are made whole again, and this investment takes us one step closer to Read More

Rincon Prescribed Burn To Start As Early As Sept. 14

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Map of the 2,227-acre Rincon prescribed fire on French Mesa, off Forest Road 8, on the Coyote Ranger District to start as early as Sept. 14, 2023. Courtesy photo

SFNF News:

SANTA FE — Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) are tentatively planning the 2,227-acre Rincon prescribed burn on French Mesa, off Forest Road 8, on the Coyote Ranger District starting as early as Sept. 14, 2023.

The project area is approximately seven miles north of the community of Gallina. The Rincon prescribed fire is part of the Rio Chama Collaborative Landscape Restoration Project that encompasses 3.8 Read More

LAFD Lifts Fire Restriction Order 2023-0002

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LAFD News:

Los Alamos County Fire (LAFD) Chief Troy Hughes announced that he issued an order effective Monday, Aug. 28, that rescinds fire restrictions enacted under Los Alamos Fire Department Order 2023-0002. 

The decision to lift the July 11 order is due to a significant decrease in fire danger, thanks to recent rainfall, a rise in fuel moisture, low fire activity levels, and forecasted cooler and wetter weather patterns, Chief Hughes said, adding that he thanks the community for their cooperation and diligence during this period of heightened fire risk.

With the order rescinded, individuals Read More

Governor Issues Statement On Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Regulations For Distributing $3.95 Billion In Assistance To Wildfire Victims

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Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham

STATE News:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Monday, issued a statement following FEMA’s release of regulations governing the distribution of nearly $4 billion in direct assistance to those affected by the 2022 Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon wildfire: 

In the summer of 2022, we saw livelihoods destroyed, families displaced, and homes lived in for generations burned to the ground by a wildfire caused by the federal government.

Today, the thousands of New Mexicans affected by the worst wildfire in our state’s history are significantly closer to being made whole, Read More

USC: Fighting ‘Bad’ Fires With ‘Good’ Ones

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Joshua trees burn during the York Fire in the Mojave National Preserve in July. Photo by Ty O’Neil, The Associated Press

By NINA Raffio
USC

  • Outlawing controlled burns didn’t work. As demand for prescribed fire increases across California, experts explore traditional and modern methods for building wildfire resilience in a burning world.

What can Native American knowledge, and now AI, teach us about fire? University of Southern California (USC) experts weigh in.

For centuries, Native American tribes used cultural and controlled burns to nurture healthy ecosystems. These deliberate, Read More

U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján Statement On Final Regulations For Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act

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U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján

U.S. SENATE News:

SANTA FE — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), the lead sponsor for the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act, issued the following statement after FEMA announced the final regulations, which will be published on Tuesday:

“As the communities continue to deal with the aftermath of these historic fires, I welcome the announcement of the final regulations to implement the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act that I introduced and President Biden signed into law. This vital legislation helps New Mexicans who lost their homes, businesses, Read More

Final Update On Black Feather Fire

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Fire Information Update:

Location: Approximately 9 miles south of Gallina on the Santa Fe National Forest, Coyote Ranger District.

Near the Peñas Negras Trail in the San Pedro Parks Wilderness.  

Details:

          • Acres: 2,198 acres
          • Start Date: Aug. 5, 2023  
          • Cause: Lightning
          • Fuels: Timber, Brush, Understory 
          • Containment: 28 percent
          • Resources: 114 personnel 

Highlights: The type 3 team will be transferring command to the local district and transitioning at 7 a.m. Thursday Aug. 31. The crews and equipment have made great progress on the Black Feather fire. UAS pilots flew the UAS (Unmanned aircraft Read More

Black Feather Fire Line Construction, Rehab Work Continues

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Fire Information Update:

Highlights: Resources continue to work the Black Feather Fire on the eastern section of line and along the wilderness boundary.

Progressing and securing the fires edge. Aircraft firefighters utilized the UAS (Unmanned aircraft system) with infrared capabilities to scout for hotspots and areas of concern that aren’t easy to see on foot.

The crews were able to locate and extinguish the hotspots that the drone identified. Making great progress and securing any area of concern.

Hand crews gained more progress in the wilderness in continuing and securing the fires edge. Read More

Update On Hermit’s Peak Calf Canyon Post Fire Response

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Forest Department News:

SANTA FE — The Forest Department has announced that officials assisting with post-fire response in the Hermit’s Peak Calf Canyon burn area continue to evaluate the work that needs to be done.

Multiple pieces of heavy equipment have been ordered to help clear debris, clean culverts, and repair roads. Work is intended to limit further erosion as well as improve drainage along Forest Service and County Roads.

 Crews divided into to two task forces have been busy over the past three weeks and have completed work on FSR’s 637, 637A (3.1 miles), FSR 634,634C (4.2 miles), FSR 391,391E Read More