State

Udall Calls for Independent Probe Into NSA Data Collection

June 13, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

U.S. SENATE:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) today led a bipartisan call for an independent investigation into the National Security Agency’s (NSA) phone records and data collection programs by a key privacy and civil liberties panel originally recommended by the 9/11 Commission and strengthened through Udall’s efforts in the House of Representatives.

Udall sent a bipartisan letter to the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, asking it to “make it an urgent priority to investigate the programs mentioned above and determine whether they (1) are conducted

NM Delegation Introduces Bill to Strengthen STEM Fields

June 13, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Sen. Tom Udall

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, along with Reps. Ben Ray Luján, Michelle Lujan Grisham and Steve Pearce announced Wednesday that they have introduced a bill to strengthen the nation’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education and training programs in New Mexico and the U.S.

The STEM Support for Teachers in Education and Mentoring (STEM²) Act includes a package of initiatives designed to improve student interest and performance in STEM skills. It would help teachers and schools better

Thompson Ridge Fire: Today’s Aerial Operations Success Allows Firefighters To Go Direct Tonight With Hand Ignition

June 13, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Thompson Ridge Fire. Photo by Kristen Honig/Valles Caldera Trust

Thompson Ridge Fire Evening Update

Acres: 22,900; Start date: May 31, 2013; Cause: Downed powerline; Location: Valles Caldera National Preserve; Containment: 60 percent; Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine; Terrain: Steep, rugged; Resources: 16 crews, 42 engines, 33 water tenders, 5 dozers; Total personnel: 885 and Available air support: 3 air tankers, 6 helicopters.

Weather so often dictates what we do and how we do it. Today through the morning hours we received a nice cover of clouds, which helped to moderate our fire Read More

New Mexico State EOC Situation Report

June 13, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

NMEOC News::

The New Mexico State Emergency Operations Center continues to monitor incidents across the state including multiple wildfires.

Below is a summary of each incident:

Power Outage – City of Albuquerque
Incident: Multiple power outages around the city since approximately 9:30 p.m. June 10. Affected Population: Initially 1,900. Power was restored to all areas by 5 a.m./June 12. Affected Area: Selected areas of the population base of the City of Albuquerque. Situation Overview: CABQ EOC partially activated at approximately 9:05 a.m. Tuesday morning at level 3. At approximately Read More

Thompson Ridge Fire Map Shows 981 Acres Burned Tuesday

June 12, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Thompson Ridge Fire progression map showing the 981 acres that burned Tuesday at the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Read More

Jaroso Fire Seen From Santa Fe

June 12, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

The massive plume from the Jaroso Fire seen Tuesday evening in Santa Fe near 599 and Camino La Tierra. Photo by Danny Gallant Read More

Thompson Ridge; Jaroso Fire Updates – Morning of June 12

June 12, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Thompson Ridge Fire

Smoke from the Thompson Ridge Fire late Tuesday afternoon looking west over the ball fields at Overlook Park in White Rock. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Thompson Ridge Fire Update

Acres: 22,852; Start date: May 31, 2013; Cause: Downed powerline; Location: Valles Caldera National Preserve; Containment: 50 percent; Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine; Terrain: Steep, rugged; Resources: 20 crews, 48 engines, 34 water tenders, 6 dozers; Total personnel: 991 and Available air support: 3 air tankers, 6 helicopters.

Last night crews experienced minimal Read More

Udall Encouraged by Vote to Begin Comprehensive Immigration Reform Debate

June 12, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

WASHINGTON, D.C.–U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) issued the following statement Tuesday after voting to begin debate on the comprehensive immigration reform legislation, S. 744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act:

“I was very encouraged with the strong, bipartisan vote to restart the debate on comprehensive immigration reform in the U.S. Senate.

“We still have a long way to go before immigration reform becomes law, and as it progresses in the Senate I will be looking to make sure it supports New Mexico’s interests as a

Bandelier Seeks Public Comment on Draft Transportation Alternatives

June 11, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Atomic City Transit shuttle bus picking up passengers recently at the Bandelier National Monument Visitor Center. Courtesy/BNM

BANDELIER News:

The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing a Transportation Plan/Environmental Assessment (plan/EA) to improve transportation conditions in Bandelier National Monument.

More than three decades of studies and workshops have documented transportation and congestion management challenges in Bandelier National Monument, including traffic congestion at the monument entrance and a lack of adequate parking in Frijoles Canyon. Read More

Tres Lagunas Fire Update – June 11

June 11, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Courtesy/SFNF

Tres Lagunas Fire Update – June 11

Acres: 10,237 Cause: Human Start Date: May 30, 2013; Containment: 70 percent; Location: 10 miles North of Pecos; Fuels: Timber; Total personnel: 783 and Terrain: steep, rugged.

Summary

Today’s Actions: Mop up, backhauling of equipment, and fire line rehabilitation will be the focus of today’s operations. Mop up includes extinguishing or removing burning material near containment lines, felling snags, and trenching logs to prevent rolling after an area has burned. Firefighters will continue to improve existing fireline and build Read More