This view of a smoke plume taken late this afternoon from White Rock stems from a fire estimated to be 20 acres in size burning in the San Pedro Parks Wilderness on the Cuba Ranger District. The Los Alamos Fire Marshal said the fire location is about 25 miles north of Los Alamos. The origin of the fire is under investigation. Photo by Helen Ortega Read More
SFNF News:
SANTA FE — The Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management Team, hosted by New Mexico Homeland Security and Emergency Management (NMDHSEM) and the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF), are outreaching to the public to gather information on Hermits Peak Calf Canyon post-fire flooding issues affecting their communities.
Forest Stewards Guild News:
SANTA FE — Despite wet conditions in May and early June, this summer has been one of the hottest seasons in recent New Mexico history.
With no monsoons to bail us out yet, the risk of wildfire remains ever persistent across the state.
Knowing your wildfire prevention safety measures is important to help keep fires from starting and spreading. But consider what happens after a fire has impacted your community. Wildfire risk isn’t just about the fire itself — risk and danger remain even after the fire has passed.
Here are a number of services available
BNM News:
Due to the increased risk of wildfire in the region, Bandelier National Monument entered Stage II fire restrictions at 8 a.m. today, Thursday, July 27.
These restrictions are necessary to help land management agencies reduce fire risk and prevent wildfires.
Under Stage II restrictions, the following is prohibited:
Congressional News:
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced the Fire Department Repayment Act to amend the fire department repayment system to ensure local departments are fairly and swiftly compensated for their service.
As wildfires intensify with the extremity of climate change, the need for firefighters is at an all-time high. This legislation will address the firefighter shortage by adequately compensating fire departments for their staffing and equipment needs. U.S. Rep. Josh Harder (D-Calif.) reintroduced the House companion bill earlier this Read More
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a statement following the conclusion of the U.S. Forest Service investigation that found the 2022 Cerro Pelado Fire was caused by a mismanaged federal prescribed burn:
“I am – again – outraged over the U.S. Forest Service’s negligence that caused this destruction. While climate change and extreme drought continue to plague the Southwest, the Forest Service must abandon their business-as-usual approach to prescribed burns and forest management in our state. I am relieved to hear that the Forest Service will now Read More
SFNF News:
SANTA FE — The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) will implement Stage 2 fire restrictions for SFNF lands west of the Rio Grande beginning 8 a.m. Thursday, July 27.
All SFNF lands east of the Rio Grande will remain in Stage 1 fire restrictions allowing for campfires and charcoal grilling ONLY in designated forest campgrounds and picnic areas.
Unusually hot and dry weather for July across New Mexico has prompted the decision to have different restriction levels for the forest. The soil and fuel moisture on the east side is not as Read More
FEMA News:
The Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office announced a partnership with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that enables eligible claimants to receive five years of flood insurance protection, with premiums paid by the Claims Office.
The NFIP provides flood insurance to property owners, renters, and businesses:
FEMA News:
SANTA FE — The Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office will be hosting a town hall meeting 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 26 in the Mora High School Lecture Hall.
Claims Office representatives will be on hand to inform claimants of recent Claims Office developments, particularly updates to flood insurance coverage. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), managed by FEMA, provides flood insurance to property owners, renters, and businesses.
In response to the fire damages, subsequent flooding and increased flooding risks caused by the Hermit’s Peak/ Calf Canyon fire, the Read More
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos Fire Department and Santa Fe Forestry crews are responding to a small fire start-up near the Pajarito Ski Hill.
These small fires are a result of a lightning strike on one tree from this afternoon’s rain storm.
As seen from the Los Alamos townsite, this smoke activity is on Santa Fe Forest land. LAFD fire crews are on scene and Santa Fe Forestry Engine crews are in the area.
Loa Alamos Police dispatch is aware and communicating with LAFD.
LAFD officials advise that the situation is under control and thank citizens for their diligence in reporting the smoke. Read More