Fire

Sen. Martin Heinrich Cosponsors Legislation To Strengthen FEMA’s Preparedness And Wildfire Response Efforts

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON — As areas of New Mexico continue dealing with wildfire mitigation and devastation, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, cosponsored legislation to strengthen the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) wildfire preparedness and response efforts.

“In recent weeks, hundreds of New Mexicans have been forced to flee their homes as wildfires have ripped through their communities. I’ve met with residents, local elected officials, volunteers, as well as the crews that Read More

Multiple Air Resources At New Fire Near Valles Caldera

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The new fire started today on the west side of the Valles Caldera National Preserve in the area of Freelove Canyon near the junction of Forrest Road 105 (Sulfur Canyon Road) and the westside boundary of the Caldera. Initial reports indicate some 45 acres have now burned. The Type I team fighting the Cerro Pelado Fire near by is helping with the new fire. Multiple air resources are on sight including a type 1 helicopter, Huey helicopter and a jet slurry bomber with a spotter plane. Photo by Keith Kihara Read More

Valles Caldera National Preserve Remains Closed; New Fire Erupts On West Side In Freelove Canyon Area

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VCNP News:

JEMEZ SPRINGS – The Cerro Pelado Fire continues to burn south of Valles Caldera National Preserve (VCNP) within the Santa Fe National Forest. In order to protect public and firefighter safety during wildland fire suppression and emergency operations on the Cerro Pelado Fire, VCNP remains closed until further notice. 

N.M. 4 is open again to local traffic. If heavy traffic impedes firefighting efforts and endangers firefighter safety, the road could be closed again.

A new fire start was detected this afternoon on the western side of the park in the area of Freelove Canyon. Read More

Calf Canyon & Hermits Peak Fires Burn 63,720 Acres

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Map of the Calf Canyon and Hermits Peak Fires. Courtesy/SFNF 

SFNF News:

Unpredictable winds developing from thunderstorms moving through the area contributed to an increase in fire activity overnight, challenging established lines and grounding aircraft.

Firefighters continue to focus on structure protection measures across the fire area. Loss and damage assessments continue. Powerlines to some areas around the fire perimeter have been restored, more lines will be energized as soon as it is determined safe to do so.

Evacuation and road closure status continues to change, watch for Read More

Scenes Of Cerro Pelado Fire From N.M. 4 Today

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N.M. 4 reopened at noon today and this is a scene taken shortly thereafter from N.M. 4 at mile marker 45 of billowing smoke from the Cerro Pelado Fire burning 7 miles east of Jemez Springs. The fire started ignited Friday, April 22, during an epic wind event and has consumed 6,119 acres and is 5 percent contained as of late this morning. The cause of the fire is under investigation. It is burning in ponderosa pine and mixed conifer trees and brush. The east part of the fire is burning in the fire footprint from the 2011 Las Conchas Fire. The Cerro Pelado Fire footprint includes forest units that have previously Read More

Wildfires Delay Sales Of Fuelwood Permits On SFNF

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SFNF News:

SANTA FE – The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) is postponing sales of personal-use fuelwood permits scheduled to begin Monday, May 2, due to active wildfires in the Jemez and Sangre de Cristo Mountains. 

The SFNF will announce a new date to begin sales of 2022 fuelwood permits as soon as conditions on the ground have improved.

As Type 1 incident management teams continue to work on both the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon Fires on the east side of the forest and the Cerro Pelado Fire on the west side, forest officials are focused on public and firefighter health and safety. The SFNF has implemented Read More

BLM Farmington, Santa Fe And Taos Implement Fire Restrictions Across Public Lands

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BLM News:

FARMINGTON — Due to increased fire danger and prolonged drought, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is implementing fire restrictions on public lands in Santa Fe, Taos, Colfax, Harding, McKinley, Mora, Quay, Rio Arriba, San Juan, San Miguel, Sandoval and Union counties.

The restrictions are effective immediately and will remain in effect until further notice.

Prohibited acts include:

  • Igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, including charcoal grills and barbecues, coal and wood burning stoves, and sheepherder’s stoves. Pressurized liquid or gas devices
Read More

Wildfire Disaster Response Donations Urgently Needed!

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The Food Depot News:

SANTA FE — In response to numerous wildfires in its service area, The Food Depot is calling for specific donations to assist with the disaster response. 

The Food Depot staff consistently maintains a disaster response plan and supplies to support these efforts.

Due to the quick, drastic increase in fires in The Food Depot’s service area and the early start to the fire season, the food bank seeks to ensure its supply, ready to quickly and effectively respond. 

Items requested include: 

  • Baby wipes
  • Beef jerky
  • Bottled water of any amount, but cases are easiest to transport
  • Chapstick,
Read More

Cerro Pelado Fire Grows To 5,711 Acres; 0% Containment

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USDA News:

The Cerro Pelado Fire has consumed 5,711 acres and remains at 0 percent containment.

Today, firefighters are working to improve and hold lines on the north side of the  to provide containment. They will mop up the small strategic firing operation they completed in the southwest corner last night. On the southern end of the fire eastward to the Los Conchas footprint, firefighters will continue with dozer lines and building some hand lines.

Helicopters and air tankers will be used to keep fire behavior minimal in the Los Conchas Fire footprint. Firefighters hope to make good progress Read More

All Together NM Fund Coordinating Donations For New Mexicans Impacted By Wildfires

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All Together NM Fund coordinates donations for New Mexicans impacted by wildfires. Courtesy/www.AllTogetherNM.org

 

STATE News:

SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced today that the All Together NM Fund is collecting donations for New Mexicans impacted by wildfires burning across the state.

The funds will be distributed to affected New Mexico communities in coordination with local organizations for emergency shelter, food and water distribution, and access to medical support.

“It’s no surprise that New Mexicans from around the state have been reaching out asking how Read More