Fire

Prescribed Burns At Kirtland Air Force Base March 9

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KIRTLAND AFB News:

KIRTLAND AFB – On March 9, Kirtland Air Force Base officials will conduct prescribed burns in wildfire-prone remote areas of the base, to reduce combustible plant material that could fuel potential wildfires.

The prescribed burn will only occur under optimal conditions of temperature, humidity, wind direction, and wind speed to ensure safe operations and the protection of our neighboring communities.

Prescribed burns are carefully managed, under a multi-agency approach, to maximize safety and effectiveness, while minimizing risk.

The prescribed burn will create Read More

Mental Health Bill For New Mexico Firefighters Advances

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Rep. Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Thomson

STATE News:

SANTA FE — House Bill 257, which would help provide behavioral health support to firefighters, passed the House Monday with a bipartisan vote of 64-2.

These support programs would allow firefighters to offer peer-to-peer behavioral health support within their departments. The State Fire Marshal’s Office would offer training courses for fire departments that choose to implement these programs.

The training courses would focus on substance misuse, critical incident stress, grief support, line of duty deaths, serious injury or illness, suicidal Read More

Wildfire Preparedness: Spring Is Here, Keep Vegetation Cleared

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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. March 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 March is: Spring is Here, Keep Vegetation Cleared.

The Living with Fire: Read More

New Mexico Firefighter Recruitment Fund Bill Advances

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Capt. Martin Salazar of Albuquerque Fire Rescue

By ROBERT NOTT
The Santa Fe New Mexican

Nearly a year after two federal prescribed burns ignited a historic wildfire northwest of Las Vegas, N.M., devastating communities in more than 530 square miles of Northern New Mexico, the House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee has approved a bill that aims to help attract and retain firefighters to fight such blazes. 

House Bill 345 would create a firefighter recruitment fund to provide bonuses to firefighters who join a fire department.

The bill calls for a $5,000 bonus for each new recruit Read More

Firefighters Win Battle Of The Badges Charity Event

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Los Alamos Police and Firefighters gather for a photo Saturday morning at the Los Alamos County Ice Rink where they played a ‘Battle of the Badges’ charity event of broom ball to benefit local Special Olympic Athletes. (Broomball is like ice hockey but without skates.) Firefighters took home the trophy with a score of 5-0. The charity event raised some $5,000 for Special Olympics. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Special Olympic athletes Addie Montoya and Micah McCown present the ‘Flame of Hope’ torch to open the event Saturday morning at the ice rink. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com Read More

Santa Fe National Forest Prescribed Burn Planned Feb. 27

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SFNF News:

SANTA FE — After two weeks of snow and wind delays, the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) plans to implement the previously announced prescribed burning of debris piles in the Deer Lake area on the Cuba Ranger District beginning Monday, Feb. 27.

Burning will be spaced out during the first two weeks of March while snow conditions are still favorable.

Upon completion of burning operations, the burned piles will be monitored closely. Every precaution will be taken to ensure the burned piles are out before the arrival of traditional spring wind and warming trends.

The Deer Lake project is Read More

Governor Signs Bipartisan Hermit’s Peak-Calf Canyon Fire Recovery Bill

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Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham

From the Office of the Governor:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed Senate Bill 6 today  alongside sponsors Sen. Pete Campos, Sen. Liz Stefanics, Rep. Ambrose Castellano and Rep. Joseph L. Sanchez as well as local and state officials.

Senate Bill 6 will provide the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) the ability to distribute $100 million in zero-percent interest loans to local governments or political subdivisions who have eligible FEMA Public Assistance projects from the 2022 Hermit’s Peak Calf Canyon wildfires. The loans will ultimately Read More

New Mexico House Bill 292 To Let Firefighters Use Medical Cannabis Off-Duty Gets Off To Hot Start Friday

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The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo

By DANIEL J. CHACON
The Santa Fe New Mexican

A bill to make it easier for New Mexico firefighters to use medical marijuana legally got off to a hot start Friday.

House Bill 292 would narrow the definition of “safety-sensitive position” in the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act, which governs the state’s medical cannabis program.

As proposed, the definition would only include employees who are required to carry a firearm or operate a vehicle with a commercial driver’s license and “whose performance under the influence of drugs or alcohol would constitute Read More

LAPD-LAFD Battle Of The Badges For Special Olympics

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LAPD News:

This year our communities finest will suit up to play a charity event to benefit our local Special Olympic Athletes at the Los Alamos Ice Rink.

On Saturday, Feb. 25, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Los Alamos Police Officers will battle the Los Alamos Firefighters in a game of Broomball! What is Broomball? Broomball is like ice hockey but without skates, what could go wrong?

The event is free of charge but donations are gratefully accepted. The event will be raising money through selling concessions, selling merchandise, taking donations, having a half-time raffle and a silent auction. All proceeds Read More

Prescribed Fire Planned On Santa Fe National Forest

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SFNF News:

SANTA FE — The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) plans to implement a prescribed burn (debris piles) on the Cuba Ranger District starting as early as Wednesday, Feb. 15.

The Deer Lake project is approximately 110 acres and is adjacent to NM Highway-126 east of Cuba between mile-markers 7 and 9.5.

Recent snowfall in the burn area provides conditions that help limit fire from spreading to adjacent vegetation. Burning will be spaced out during the month of February when conditions are favorable. Upon completion of burning operations, the burned piles will be monitored throughout the winter. Read More