Fire

Amateur Naturalist: Cerro Grande Fire 22 Years Later

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The Quemazon mesa top provides a setting for a smooth, easy trail. Photo by Robert Dryja

The Los Alamos Canyon forms the south side of the mesa top. Photo by Robert Dryja

By ROBERT DRYJA
Los Alamos

The western side of Los Alamos is part of a broad slope that extends upwards to the mountain rim of the Valles Caldera. This slope is divided by canyons that are the result of water erosion. This slope was covered by forest before homesteaders and other settlers arrived. Ponderosa and other forms of spruce or pine were the dominant trees.

Forest fires were a major influence on how these trees grew. These fires Read More

Scenes From Base Camp Briefings On Cerro Pelado Fire

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Scene of Los Alamos County Council Chair Randall Ryti speaking to firefighters and officials at Tuesday’s base camp briefing on the Cerro Pelado Fire. Photo by Chief Troy Hughes/LAFD 

Los Alamos National Laboratory Director Thom Mason speaking this morning to firefighters and officials gathered  at base camp for a briefing on the Cerro Pelado Fire. Photo by Chief Troy Hughes/LAFD 

Incident Commander Rich Harvey of Great Basin Team 1 speaking to firefighters and officials at Tuesday’s base camp briefing on the Cerro Pelado Fire. Photo by Chief Troy Hughes/LAFD 

Los Alamos County Council Read More

Cerro Pelado Fire Morning Video: Wednesday May 18

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Video this morning of Great Basin Team 1 Public Information Officer Mina Bolton speaking about the overnight status of the Cerro Pelado Fire. The fire maintained at zero growth overnight and remains at 45,605 acres burned and 71 percent contained. This will be the final video update on the Cerro Pelado Fire unless a significant change occurs. Video by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com Read More

Special Food Distribution For Evacuees Today May 18

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FOOD DEPOT News:

SANTA FE — As many of our communities are welcoming people who have been displaced by fire, The Food Depot is working with Gov.. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office to offer pop-up food pantry distributions in affected areas.

The next special food distribution is 2-4 p.m., today, May 18 at Española High School, 1111 El Llano. 

The distribution will include groceries and prepared meals. There is no documentation required and there is never a cost for people to receive food. This distribution is a joint effort between the state and local agencies to reach as many people in need as possible.  Read More

LANL: Cerro Pelado Fire Now More Than 70 Percent Contained; Continued Dry Conditions Reason To Remain Vigilant Per Fire Officials

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LANL News:

“Daily news releases will no longer be issued unless there are significant updates to share.”

Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos County, the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Los Alamos Field Office and the Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management Los Alamos Field Office have issued the following update on the Cerro Pelado Fire burning in the Jemez Mountains.

With the Cerro Pelado Fire now more than 70 percent contained and additional containment expected today and Wednesday, Los Alamos National Laboratory and Los Alamos County have returned Read More

SFNF Implementing Closure Order Prohibiting Public Access Across Entire 1.6 Million Acre Forest May 19

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Courtesy/SFNF

SFNF News:

SANTA FE – The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) will implement a forest wide closure order at 8 a.m. Thursday, May 19, 2022, prohibiting public access across the entire 1.6-million-acre forest due to active wildfires and extreme fire danger. The closure order will remain in effect until December 31, 2022, unless it is rescinded earlier.

Forest managers consider several factors before implementing fire restrictions or forest closures, including current fire danger and fire activity, local, regional and national fire preparedness levels, expected weather conditions, Read More

Rep. Leger Fernández Secures FEMA Critical Needs Assistance Application Deadline Extension

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From the Office of US. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández:

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández secured an extension of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) application deadline for the Critical Needs Assistance (CNA) Program until Thursday, June 2nd, 2022. Last week, the Congresswoman sent a letter to FEMA requesting an extension of the deadline to allow more time for individuals and families in need of assistance and resources.

The CNA program provides a one-time $500 payment for eligible impacted households to cover immediate needs. This includes life-saving Read More

New Mexico AG Warns Of Scams Targeting Wildfire Victims

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From the Office of the Attorney General:

SANTA FE — Today, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas issued a consumer advisory alerting New Mexicans to scams that appear to be targeting survivors of the Calf Canyon/Hermit’s Peak wildfires. 

“Many New Mexico families are dealing with the trauma of evacuation, and some have lost everything to the wildfires,” AG Balderas said. “It is unimaginable to me that scammers are trying to take advantage of our citizens at such a horrific time.”

Victims of the fires should be careful of scams involving calls from persons claiming to be from the Federal Read More

Cerro Pelado Fire Update: Zero Growth; 71% Contained

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Courtesy/USDA Forest Service

USDA Forest Service News:

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

Incident Statistics: 

  • Size: 45,605 Acres
  • Current Containment: 71 percent
  • Start Date: April 22, 2022
  • Cause: Unknown
  • Total Personnel: 936

Weather and Fire Behavior: Today moderate westerly and terrain driven winds are expected, and temperatures over the fire area will rise to around 80°F. Relative humidity will drop into the single digits again in the afternoon, and the probability of ignition will be very high, Read More

Enterprise Bank & Trust Announces Consumer Loan Payment Deferral Program To Assist Clients In New Mexico Experiencing Financial Difficulty Due To Wildfires

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Enterprise Bank & Trust News:

Enterprise Bank & Trust announced today the activation of a Consumer Loan Payment Deferral Program to assist clients in New Mexico who are experiencing financial difficulty due to the wildfires and straight-line winds currently impacting the region.

The program is available for consumer loan clients in good standing, subject to certain terms and conditions. The program allows clients to defer two months of loan payments in order to help clients financially during this time. The borrower’s place of employment, primary residence, or if a mortgage loan, Read More