Fire

Community Invited To LAFD Wildfire Day & Elks Annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday At Ashley Pond Park

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LAFD News:

Central Avenue between Oppenheimer and 20th Street will be closed 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 16, 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. 

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 for Read More

Safety Reminders For Easter Weekend As SFNF Moves To High Fire Danger

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SFNF News:

SANTA FE — 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 3 on a scale of 1 to 5. Preparedness levels are based on fuel and weather conditions, fire activity and resource availability.

There are no fire restrictions at this time on the SFNF, but with an early start to the 2022 wildfire season amid ongoing drought, Read More

Wildfire Update: Nogal Canyon Fire Burning Near Capitan

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NMFD News:

The Nogal Canyon fire is burning 8 miles east of Capitan in Lincoln County. Multiple structures are threatened and evacuations are underway for residents in Nogal Canyon to N.M. 37. An evacuation center is set up at Carrizozo School, 800 D Ave in Carrizozo. Livestock can be taken to the Capitan Fairgrounds in Capitan.

The fire was initially reported at 1:20 p.m. after the wind reportedly blew a power line down near the top of Nogal Canyon. It is burning on private and USFS land in mixed conifer fuels.

The fire is estimated at 100 acres and 0 percent contained. Multiple resources are working Read More

SFNF: Prescribed Burn Planned For Santa Fe Watershed Postponed Indefinitely

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SFNF News:

SANTA FE — Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) have postponed the previously announced prescribed burn in the Santa Fe Municipal Watershed on the Española Ranger District.

Earlier, fire managers had identified a window starting April 18 to implement the prescribed burn to reduce fuel loading and protect the watershed that provides approximately 40 percent of the water for Santa Fe residents.

The SFNF is focused on suppressing the Hermit Peak Fire on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District. With the neighboring fire activity and the diminishing window for spring prescribed Read More

Hermits Peak Fire Update April 8, 2022

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Aerial reconnaissance of Hermits Peak Fire this morning. Courtesy/SFNF

IMT News:

LAS VEGAS, NM  – The Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) assumed command of the Hermits Peak Fire at 6 a.m. today April 8.

The Hermits Peak Fire started Wednesday April 6 when unexpected winds caused the Las Dispensas prescribed burn to produce multiple spot fires.

Fire managers on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District declared the prescribed burn a wildfire and implemented a full suppression strategy.

There is a temporary flight restriction (TFR) in place for the fire area, and a public closure Read More

SFNF: Las Dispensas Prescribed Burn Declared Wildfire

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SFNF News:

SANTA FE — The Las Dispensas prescribed fire on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) was declared a wildfire at approximately 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Although forecasted weather conditions were within parameters for the prescribed burn, unexpected erratic winds in the late afternoon caused multiple spot fires that spread outside the project boundary.

Named the Hermits Peak Fire, the wildfire is approximately 12 miles northwest of Las Vegas and is estimated at 100+ acres. Fire managers have called in additional resources, including a Type 3 Read More

Prescribed Burn Planned For Santa Fe Watershed

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SFNF News:

SANTA FE — Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) plan to implement the previously announced prescribed burn in the Santa Fe Municipal Watershed on the Española Ranger District as early as April 18, if conditions remain favorable.

Crews will use hand and aerial ignitions to treat approximately 1,000 acres approximately 1 mile east of Nichols Reservoir.

The SFNF is coordinating with the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) to monitor air quality and provide information to the public.

Due to its terrain and proximity Read More

Prepare For Flames & Sparks Before Wildfire Season Hits

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In April prepare for flames and sparks before wildfire season hits. Courtesy/facnm.org

SFNF News:

SANTA FE — With wildfire season just around the corner, now is the perfect time to prepare homes and yards for wildfire.

The 2022 Wildfire Preparedness is Year-Round campaign provides monthly wildfire preparedness tasks that follow the changing seasons. The April message from the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) and partners at other forests, agencies and non-governmental organizations is prepare for flames and sparks before wildfire season.

Historically, New Mexico’s fire danger is

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Elks Easter Egg Hunt And More At Ashley Pond Park April 16

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COMMUNITY News:

The Elks annual Easter egg hunt is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 16 at Ashley Pond Park in downtown Los Alamos.

The event includes a bike rodeo with free helmets, at 10 a.m., the Easter egg hunt beginning at 11 a.m., bouncy houses, which open at 11:15 a.m. and a scavenger hunt hosted by Freedom Church Kids.

Visit the Freedom Church Kids booth to enter a raffle and take a picture with the Easter Bunny hosted by Freedom Church Los Alamos. Also meet local firefighters and other first responders, view their vehicles and meet Elroy the Elk, Smokey the bear and Sparky the fire dog.

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LAFD’s Norma Jean Valdez Receives International Award

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From left, CFAI Commission Chair Steve Dirksen presents LAFD’s Norma Jean Valdez with the prestigious CPSE Award at a special ceremony Tuesday in Orlando, Fla., as LAFD Chief Troy Hughes who nominated Valdez looks on. Courtesy photo

By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com

The recipient of the 2022 Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) Ray Picard Award is Senior Management Analyst Norma Jean Valdez of the Los Alamos County Fire Department, a CFAI Accredited Agency.

Valdez is the one person in the entire world selected this year to receive this prestigious award.

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