Public Safety

Continued Drought Forces Stage II Fire Restrictions Effective Today

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LAFD News:

STAGE II FIRE RESTRICTIONS

PROHIBITIONS:

  • Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or stove fire.
  • Smoking.
  • Using fireworks, explosives or other incendiary devices.
  • Operating a chainsaw, or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine, is prohibited.
  • Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order.
  • Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
  • Possessing or using a motor vehicle off roads on federal
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Students Help Peers Through Teen Court

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Preparing for a Teen Court session are from left, Cpl. Sheldon Simpson, “Judge” Toni Batha and “defense attorneys” Rachel Pierce, Maura Taylor and Clohe Henson. Photo by Carol A. Clark
 
By Carol A. Clark
 
“The honorable” Toni Batha, her judicial black robe billowing about her, presided over a recent Los Alamos Teen Court hearing.
 
This is the second year that the Los Alamos High School junior has volunteered her time at the local court.
 
“It’s really a great learning experience,” Batha said of helping her peers.
 
LAHS Senior Vanessa Duran
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Police Probe Jamie Lee Ireland Death

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Los Alamos Police Department News:

On May 20, the Consolidated Dispatch Center received a call that 28-year-old Jamie Ireland of Los Alamos had sustained injuries after an accidental fall at 802 9th St.

Los Alamos Fire Department was dispatched to the scene and transported Ireland to Los Alamos Medical Center.

Ireland was subsequently transported to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Santa Fe.

On May 21, the Los Alamos Police Department was notified by personnel at St. Vincent’s that the injuries sustained by Ireland were serious and potentially fatal.

Ireland subsequently died May

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BREAKING NEWS: Search Underway for Black Bear Whose Claws Grazed Juvenile’s Neck at Bandelier

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Photo of a North American Black Bear. Courtesy photo

At approximately 4 a.m. today, a black bear swatted at a tent occupied by a sleeping juvenile who was camping with family at Ponderosa Campground.

The tent was torn, and the bear’s claws grazed the back of the juvenile’s neck, causing a minor abrasive injury.

The family immediately left the campground and National Park Service (NPS) Rangers were informed later this morning.

Bandelier National Monument Superintendent Jason Lott announced that effective immediately, Ponderosa Group Campground will be closed for up to 10 days, pending capture Read More

Deer Collides with Car Near Golf Course

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A deer jumped out in front of this hatchback sedan this evening on Diamond Drive causing extensive damage. The deer lost his life in the collision. Photo by Greg Kendall/ladailypost.com

By Carol A. Clark

The driver of a small hatchback sedan collided with a deer at about 6 p.m., today on Diamond Drive near the Los Alamos Golf Course.

“The deer jumped out in front of the car, landed on the hood and smashed into the windshield,” Deputy Fire Chief Justin Grider said.

The driver and a passenger are fine, Grider said, but the deer is dead.

Firefighters from Los Alamos Fire Department Engine Read More

Congressman Lujan Attends Today’s Drug Summit

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U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, left, listens as White House Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske answers questions from the media during today’s drug summit at the convention center in Santa Fe. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com

Director Gil Kerlikowske of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and President Obama’s top drug policy advisor participated in a summit with U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján from New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District in Santa Fe this morning.

Kerlikowske discussed how local and regional efforts can sync up with the Administration’s pursuit Read More

Colorado Peak and Bear Springs Fires are History!

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SFNF News:

Below you will find an evening fire update for the Colorado Peak and Bear Springs fires:

Colorado Peak: 246 acres,100 percent contained. The Colorado Peak fire is located on the Española Ranger District, Santa Fe NF; approximately 10 miles northwest of the Santa Fe Airport

Bear Springs: 622 acres, 95 percent contained. No change. The Bear Springs fire is located on the Jemez Ranger District, Santa Fe NF; 6 miles NE of Ponderosa and 6 miles SE of Jemez Springs. Read More

Helicopter Hovering Overhead is Taking Aerial Surveys of Townsite

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In response to concerned calls coming in today to the Los Alamos Daily Post about possible fires in Los Alamos, Deputy Fire Chief Justin Grider has confirmed that there are no fires burning anywhere in Los Alamos County. The helicopter heard flying overhead is taking aerial photos of the townsite and will continue to do so for the next day or two. Courtesy photo Read More

Fire and Water: The Las Conchas Fire

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Column by State Representative Jim Hall

On June 4 and 5, I attended a conference “Impacts and Lessons Learned from the Las Conchas Fire,” sponsored by New Mexico’s Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (NM EPSCoR–https:////nmepscor.org/). 

NM EPSCoR is funded by the National Science Foundation, and this year their focus was to research the impacts of climate change on Northern New Mexico water resources.

The Las Conchas Fire broadened their focus to the environmental impacts of wildfire–with water and water quality as an important subtext.  Read More

Bradbury Invites Public to Share Personal Fire Stories

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Courtesy/Bradbury Science Museum

Interactive exhibit opens June 13

Beginning Wednesday June 13, the public is invited to Los Alamos National Laboratory’s (LANL) Bradbury Science Museum to take part in “Living With Wildfire: Share Your Stories.”

The museum will host an opening reception from 3:30-6 p.m. for the general public.

Nearly one year ago, the Las Conchas Fire burned in forest areas surrounding LANL and forced a one-week closure.

The wildfire spared the Laboratory but it affected thousands of residents in Northern New Mexico.

The exhibit provides an opportunity for people to share Read More