Fire

Senators Ben Ray Luján And Cynthia Lummis Introduce Legislation To Improve Federal Wildfire Recovery Efforts

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) introduced the Responsible Wildland Fire Recovery Act today, which would allow the Secretary of Agriculture to waive all cost share requirements for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs as a result of wildfires started by controlled burns and other land management activities conducted by the USDA on National Forest System land.

Current law does not fully cover remediation costs in cases where the government is responsible for a wildfire’s ignition.

The Responsible Wildland Read More

Los Alamos First Responders Rescue Female Juvenile From Fall Off Cliff At Overlook Point In White Rock

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Los Alamos first responders on the scene of a rescue early Monday evening of a female juvenile from a fall off a cliff ledge at Overlook Point in White Rock. First responders extracted the juvenile after several hours in a treacherous location and Classic Air Medical transported her to Albuquerque for treatment. Courtesy/LAPD

LAPD News:

Los Alamos Police Department (LAPD), Los Alamos Fire Department and Classic Air Medical staff responded at approximately 6:33 p.m. Monday, July 17, to Overlook Park in White Rock in reference to a female juvenile falling from a cliff ledge at Overlook Point. Read More

New Mexico State Fire Marshal’s Office Announces $75 Million For Local Depts. Including $989K For Los Alamos

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STATE News:

The New Mexico State Fire Marshal’s office announced that $75 million from the state’s fire fund will be distributed to departments around the state.

A total of 99 municipalities in New Mexico received $29,395,413 and 257 county stations received $40,765,656.

A total of $75,814,631 was distributed for fiscal year 2024, a 5.6 percent increase over the fiscal year 2023 distribution of $71,765,073.

The New Mexico Fire fund is funded through a small portion of insurance premiums.

“The State Fire Marshal’s office is pleased to provide this vital funding to departments large and small

Read More

LAFD Issues Order That Supersedes Previous Restrictions

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LAFD News:

In response to very high weather conditions and elevated fire danger, Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD) has implemented the following fire restrictions within the county boundary. Effective as of 2 p.m. today, Tuesday July 11, 2023, the below fire restrictions are in place.

This Order supersedes any previously announced fire restrictions.

Pursuant to Section 22-33(e)(2) of the Los Alamos County Code, the following are PROHIBITED:

  • Any fire permits for recreational fire devices issued prior to the imposition of these fire restrictions are suspended.
  • The use of outdoor cooking
Read More

Rickman: Can We Please Just Say ‘Enough Already’ To Personal Fireworks?

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By JAMES RICKMAN
Los Alamos

A week has passed since the Fourth of July, and yet our evening skies continue to boom and glow with errant aerial fireworks displays launched from residential areas without a second thought about our tinder-dry landscape beneath. Oh, sure, I get it: Fireworks are all about ‘Merica! and the freedom to do whatever the hell we damned well please whenever we get the urge to bust a patriotic nut; it’s what Our Founders wanted us to do, right?

I wrote that last sentence with only the tiniest bit of facetiousness, because I really do understand where that sentiment comes from. Read More

Los Alamos County Enters Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

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COUNTY News:

Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD) Fire Marshal James Pepe has announced Stage 1 Fire Restrictions for Los Alamos County, effective today, July 7.

After consulting with other agency partners and reviewing the potential threat of wildfire, the Fire Marshal and the LAFD’s Wildland Division decided to enter Stage 1 restrictions.

“Seasonal fire restrictions are often developed based on specific criteria related to wildland fire risk, such as vegetation moisture content, weather outlooks, human risk factors and firefighting resource availability,” Fire Marshal Pepe said. Read More

New Mexico State Police To Host Honor Guard Conference

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The New Mexico State Police Honor Guard will host a multi-agency Honor Guard Conference July 18-20 at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in Santa Fe. Courtesy/NMSP

NMSP News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico State Police Honor Guard has announced an upcoming multi-agency Honor Guard Conference, July 18-20 at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in Santa Fe.

This event will bring honor guards from multiple law enforcement, fire and corrections agencies together.

The New Mexico State Police Honor Guard Conference aims to provide a unique platform for agencies to come together and enhance their Read More

Called To Lead, Called To Serve

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LAFD officials from left, Chief Troy Hughes, former Training Chief Benjamin Stone, former Battalion Chief Paul Grano, former chief member of command staff Hank Blackwell and Deputy Chief Wendy Servey gathered recently outside the Blue Window. Not pictured former Deputy Chief Steve Dawald. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com

Many members of this community are dedicating their careers to lead and serve others. The Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD) is among those organizations boasting a treasure trove of such individuals. Read More

DHSEM & NMDOT Join Forces To Deliver Additional Sandbags To Support San Miguel County

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DHSEM and NMDOT delivered 130 pallets of sandbags to the San Miguel County Maintenance building in Las Vegas, N.M., Wednesday to support the county as they continue to experience flooding from the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon burn scar. Courtesy/DHSEM 

DHSEM News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) and the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) Wednesday delivered 130 pallets of sandbags to the San Miguel County Maintenance building in Las Vegas, N.M., to support San Miguel County as they continue to experience flooding from Read More

Reminder To Leave Fireworks At Home When Celebrating Fourth Of July On Santa Fe National Forest

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SFNF News:

SANTA FE — The Fourth of July is a wonderful time to bring family and friends on an adventure to the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF).

If you plan to spend the Fourth of July weekend on the SFNF, please remember to leave the fireworks at home. They may be the staple of Fourth of July festivities, but fireworks and explosives are ALWAYS prohibited on national forests.

All SFNF offices will be closed Tuesday, July 4, in observance of the Independence Day holiday, but fire personnel, law enforcement and recreation staff will be patrolling the forest over the long weekend. Offices will have Read More