Fire

Three Black Hawk Helicopters Will Fly Over LANL Property During Firefighting Training Exercises Slated For April 20-22

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Example of a Black Hawk helicopter. Photo by Capt. Richard Barker
LANL News:
Three Black Hawk helicopters will be flying over and around Los Alamos National Laboratory property April 20-22 as part of a firefighting training exercise. At present, there is no wildfire in the area.
The training exercise is a collaboration between the Laboratory, the National Guard, U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service.
In preparation for wildfire season, pilots will practice transporting and dropping water in the surrounding landscape.
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Scenes From 2022 LAFD Wildfire Day At Ashley Pond Park

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Smokey Bear gets a hug from a young fan during the Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD) Wildfire Day this morning outside the Justice Center. The event was held in combination with the Elks Easter Egg Hunt and Freedom Church Easter celebration at Ashley Pond Park. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

Amanda Taylor of Southwest Fire Defense hosts a booth along with her husband and Southwest Fire Defense owner Daniel Martinez during LAFD Wildfire Day today at the Pond. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

LAFD  Firefighter Eric Gonzales fits a helmet on a young bicyclist’s head this morning Read More

Central Closed Between Oppenheimer & 20th Until 3 PM Today For LAFD Wildfire Day & Elks Easter Egg Hunt

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Courtesy/LAFD

LAFD News:

Central Avenue between Oppenheimer and 20th Street will be closed 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. today in support of the combined efforts of the Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD), Los Alamos Elks Lodge and many more to present the community with a safe and fun family event – the Annual Elk’s Easter Egg Hunt plus Wildfire Day 2022.

Activities start at 10 a.m. and conclude at 2 p.m. today.

This will be a fun event for the entire family with the Easter Egg Hunt beginning promptly at 11 a.m. A bicycle rodeo and children’s bicycle helmet giveaway will take place and bouncy houses will be available

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All SFNF Ranger Districts At HIGH Fire Danger

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SANTA FE – Important Information from the Santa Fe National Forest. Easter weekend is always a big one for recreation on the #santafenf. If you plan to visit us, please be aware of HIGH fire danger and fire operations on the Hermits Peak Fire (Pecos/Las Vegas District). 

Forest visitors planning to spend Easter weekend on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) are reminded to take precautions by following One Less Spark guidelines and Smokey Bear’s Campfire Safety rules.

All ranger districts on the SFNF are at HIGH fire danger as New Mexico and Arizona shifted to wildland fire Preparedness Level Read More

New Mexico Department Of Homeland Security Emphasizes Safety For New Mexico Residents Displaced By Recent Fires

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DHSEM News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) impresses upon New Mexicans displaced by the McBride and Nogal Fires in Lincoln County to stay away from burned out areas until it is safe to return.

New Mexico State Police (NMSP) and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department have set up 8 checkpoints around the Ruidoso area and 1 checkpoint near Nogal Canyon on NM37. In addition, NMSP and the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office are managing 3 checkpoints near the Hermit’s Peak Fire 12 miles northwest of Las Vegas. Residents are not permitted Read More

Firefighters Gain Ground On The Hermits Peak Fire

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Hermits Peak Fire PIO Map. Courtesy photo

SFNF News:

Update on Hermits Peak Fire.

Start Date:  April 6, 2022
Acres: 7,077 acres
Location: Approx. 12 miles northwest of Las Vegas, NM, Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District, Hermits Peak/Pecos Wilderness
Cause: Multiple spot fires spread beyond the prescribed fire project boundary
Fuels: Mixed conifer
Containment: 10 percent
Total personnel: 520

Highlights: As a result of firefighter efforts, availability of aircraft, and more favorable weather conditions, the Hermits Peak Fire experienced noticeably smaller growth on Wednesday. Communities Read More

State Assistance Continues As Multiple Fires Burn Across New Mexico 

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DHSEM News:

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) in coordination with other state agencies, continue to respond to the communities affected by the multiple fires currently burning in New Mexico.

“To see the State Emergency Response Teamwork in tandem with local, tribal, and county-level emergency responders is incredible,” DHSEM Deputy Secretary Carla Walton said. “This is what we plan for. We pool our resources and respond swiftly to New Mexicans in need.”

State Police confirmed the McBride Fire claimed the lives of two Ruidoso residents Read More

State Farm Urges New Mexico Property Owners To Make Safety Top Priority During Wildfires

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STATE FARM News:

State Farm’s hearts go out to those who have been affected by the wildfires in New Mexico, and State Farm’s greatest concern is for the safety of everyone in the impacted areas.

Their first priority is taking care of their customers’ needs as quickly as possible. State Farm encourage New Mexico customers who had to evacuate to save receipts for their living expenses like lodging, food and pet boarding as coverage may be available while the public are subject to mandatory evacuation orders. Residents with wildfire damage are encouraged to file a claim as soon as possible to begin Read More

NMSP Investigation Underway Into Deceased Victims Located At Residence During McBride Fire In Ruidoso

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NMSP News:

RUIDOSO — At about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, local firefighters responded to a structure fire at #569 Gavilan Canyon Road in Ruidoso.

Later that evening, the Ruidoso Police Department (RPD) received information about an elderly couple who attempted to evacuate the McBride Fire but were unaccounted for by family members.

RPD detectives and the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Investigations Bureau, working together with the Bonita Volunteer Fire Department, located the remains of two individuals Wednesday, April 13 at the Gavilan Canyon Road residence.

This is an active and Read More

NMDOH And NMED Issue Smoke Advisory For Northeastern New Mexico Thursday Evening

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NMDOH News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Health and the New Mexico Environment Department Wednesday issued a smoke advisory for communities in San Miguel, Mora and Colfax Counties due to anticipated smoke from the Hermits Peak Fire in New Mexico.

The advisory will be in effect through Thursday evening. The Hermits Peak Fire started at about 4:30 p.m., April 6, 2022, approximately 12 miles northwest of Las Vegas at the base of Hermits Peak in the Pecos Wilderness.

The Hermits Peak Fire is burning through mixed conifer in steep, rugged terrain that poses challenges for firefighter access. Read More