Fire

Governor On U.S. Forest Service Announcement To Pause Prescribed Burns For 90 Days In New Mexico

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From the Office of the Governor:

SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham this afternoon issued a statement following the U.S. Forest Service announcing the initiation of a 90-day pause on prescribed fire operations on National Forest System lands:

“I am glad to hear that, following my conversation with U.S. Department of Agriculture and Forest Service leadership earlier today, the Forest Service will implement a 90-day pause and review of prescribed burns on federal lands.

“While we’re clear about the long-term importance of carefully studied and well-managed prescribed burns as Read More

NMDOT: How To Locate Missing Livestock

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NMDOT:

ALBUQUERQUE – Livestock owners missing livestock as a result of the wildfires in New Mexico – or who are unsure whether their animals are located where they are supposed to be – should contact either the New Mexico Livestock Board at 505.841.6161 or their county sheriff’s office.

Livestock owners may also call their local New Mexico Livestock Board Inspector directly.

For other agriculture-related assistance needed as a result of the wildfires, visit the state of New Mexico’s wildfire resource page. Read More

Ryti: Fire Season Continues

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By RANDALL RYTI
Chair
Los Alamos County Council

As the risk from the Cerro Pelado Fire eases with less active fire and more containment, it seems like an appropriate time to recognize the people that got us to this point. First. I will begin by thanking the Los Alamos Fire Department and Wildland Fire Division for their early and continued response to the fire. Chief Hughes and Wildland Chief Sterna lead a well-trained and dedicated group of professionals, and they deserve our appreciation.

Also, deployed to the fire were two Type 1 incident management teams (Southern Area Red Team 1 and Great Basin Read More

Cerro Pelado Fire Update: Zero Growth; 75% Contained

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USDA Forest Service News:

The USDA Forest Service issued the following update this morning on the Cerro Pelado Fire burning in the Jemez Mountains.

Red Flag Warning in effect 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. today.

Weather and Behavior: Thursday, it was extremely windy and dry but crews had a successful day on the fireline, the perimeter held and there was no new growth. The increased fire activity seen in the afternoon was well within the fire perimeter and was burning large areas of unburned dead and down trees. Conditions for rapid fire spread are extreme and we will see similar critical fire weather day with Read More

U.S. Sen. Heinrich Discusses Effective Federal Safety Coordination Efforts Around Los Alamos With NNSA Administrator During Hearing

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich participating in an Appropriations Subcommittee hearing Wednesday to review the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Submission for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Screenshot/LADP

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:

WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) participated in an Appropriations Subcommittee hearing Wednesday to review the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Submission for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).

To watch the video, click here. Download link here.

During the hearing, Sen. Heinrich asked Under Read More

Readout Of Governor’s Call With President Biden

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From the Office of the Governor:

SANTA FE — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham spoke with President Biden on Tuesday to discuss the wildfires that have burned hundreds of thousands of acres across the state, resulted in the evacuation of tens of thousands, and destroyed hundreds of homes.

Gov. Lujan Grisham underscored the impacts of the fires on New Mexico communities and the need for ongoing partnership with the federal government as New Mexico recovers and rebuilds from some of the most devastating wildfires on record in the state.

The President reaffirmed that the people of New Mexico Read More

Chief Hughes: Rationale For Stage 3 Fire Restrictions

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By TROY HUGHES
LAFD Fire Chief

To the Los Alamos County community – I fully understand the disappointment the community is experiencing by not being able to enjoy our wonderful outdoor surroundings due to the Stage 3 closures. While sympathizing with the feelings of loss, as someone who primarily gets all his exercise on the local trails, as the Fire Chief, I need to make sound decisions with public safety coming first. 

The Los Alamos County closure of our trail system only impacts the trails within the Los Alamos and White Rock townsites, including the interior canyons, like Pueblo and Bayo Read More

Cochiti Lake Reopens To Recreation Today May 19

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USACE News:

ALBUQUERQUE — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District announced Wednesday that Cochiti Lake will reopen for recreation beginning today, May 19.

Cochiti Lake was used as a water supply to combat the spread of the nearby Cerro Pelado Fire. The Cerro Pelado Fire is now 74 percent contained and the lake is no longer being used as a water supply in the Cerro Pelado firefighting efforts.

While Cochiti Lake is reopening at this time, the public should be aware that the lake is on standby to support aerial firefighting operations for the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. Additional Read More

Cerro Pelado Fire Update: Back-To-Back Red Flag Fire Warning Days Underway Through 10 PM Friday

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COUNTY News:

The Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team #3 assumed command of the Cerro Pelado Fire at 7 a.m. today.

Updated Forest Closures: Santa Fe, Carson and Cibola National Forests have implemented closures due to extreme fire danger effective 8 a.m. today, May 19.

N.M. 4 is open to local traffic only. Please drive carefully through the area as there are still fire crews in the area

Back-to-back Red Flag Fire Warning days begin at noon today due to high temperatures, strong winds and low relative humidity values.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Today will be a critical fire weather day with a Read More

Hermits Peak & Calf Canyon Fire Viewed Near Station 6

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A large smoke plume billows from the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon combined Fire Saturday near Los Alamos County Fire Station No. 6 at 457 East Road. The fire has burned 301,971 acres and as of this morning is 34 percent contained. There are 1,958 personnel fighting the fire, which is burning heavy mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, brush, and grass. Photo by Marc Bailey Read More