State

Morning Fire Update: Thompson Ridge 10 Percent Contained; Tres Lagunas 34 Percent

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Smoke from the Thompson Ridge Fire visible Thursday looking west from Espanola. Photo by Leland Lehman/ladailypost.com
 
Thompson Ridge Fire Update
Friday, June 7, 2013, 8 a.m.

Acres: 14,430; Start date: May 31, 2013; Cause: Downed powerline; Location: Valles Caldera National Preserve; Containment: 10 percent; Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine; Terrain: Steep, rugged; Resources: 25 crews, 49 engines, 23 water tenders, 2 dozers; Total personnel: 1,015; Available air support: 3 air tankers, 4 helicopters;

Summary: Overnight, the fire activity was quiet compared with previous Read More

Thompson Ridge Fire on The Valles Caldera – Update June 6 at 9 p.m.

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Valles Caldera National Preserve June 5. Photo by Robert Beberniss

Thompson Ridge Fire
June 6, 2013 9 p.m.

Acres: 12,900, Start date: May 31, 2013, Cause: Downed powerline Location: Valles Caldera National Preserve, Containment: 10 percent; Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine; Terrain: Steep, rugged; Resources: 25 crews, 49 engines, 23 water tenders, 2 dozers; Total personnel: 1,015; Available air support: 3 air tankers, 6 helicopters.

Summary: Crews continue to work day and night shifts to take advantage of a narrow window of favorable weather to conduct burnout operations along Read More

Valles Caldera Buildings Remain Intact

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Structure protection is underway at the Valles Caldera as the Thompson Ridge Fire approached the Historic Ranch section of the Valles Caldera. So far firefighters have protected all buildings on the Preserve. All public access to the Valles Caldera National Preserve remains closed to the public due to increased fire activity from the Thompson Ridge Fire. Photo by Kristen Honig/Valles Caldera

The Best Offense Is a Good Defense. Photo by Kristen Honig/Valles Caldera

Old Growth Protection. Photo by Kristen Honig/Valles Caldera

Another structure saved at the Valles Caldera. Photo by Kristen Read More

Udall: Americans Deserve More Transparency on Phone Record Collection

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U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall released the following statement today on news reports that government agencies have collected extensive information on Americans’ phone records:
 
“The news that the government issued a blanket order for Americans’ phone records is deeply disturbing and exactly why I voted against the Patriot Act in 2001. It’s also why I have opposed reauthorization of similar provisions without adding civil liberties protections – protections that require agencies to explain specifically what information
Read More

Thompson Ridge; Tres Lagunas Fire Updates – Morning of June 6

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The Thompson Ridge Fire on the Valles Caldera National Preserve Wednesday, June 5, 2013. Photo by Robert Beberniss

Thompson Ridge Fire Update
Thursday June 6, 2013 9 a.m.

Acres: 12,171; Start date: May 31, 2013; Cause: Downed powerline; Location: Valles Caldera National Preserve; Containment: 5 percent; Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine; Terrain: Steep, rugged; Resources: 23 crews, 36 engines, 8 water tenders, 2 dozers; Total personnel: 816 Available air support: 3 air tankers, 7 helicopters.

Summary: Yesterday and last night, lower temperatures and slightly higher humidity Read More

House Passes Luján Amendment to Increase Funding for Wildfire Preparedness and Preventative Measures

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U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District offered an amendment late last night to the Fiscal Year 2014 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act to increase funding for grant programs that help communities prepare for wildfires.

The amendment passed the House with broad bipartisan support by a 287 to 136 vote this morning. Below are Representative Luján’s remarks from last night. Click here<https:////www.youtube.com/watch?v=579fTTs_gLM&feature=youtu.be> to watch Luján’s Read More

‘Run the Caldera’ Cancellation Impacts 450-plus Participants

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VCNP News:

The Thompson Ridge Fire has forced the cancellation of the annual Run the Caldera Marathon event.

Mike Lippiatt from the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce said that more than 450 participants had registered up to the time the event was cancelled earlier this week.

Lippiatt addressed the short and longterm impact the cancellation of Run the Caldera may have on the local economy.

“It is impossible to quantify the loss of revenue due to the event being cancelled but the impact to our local businesses is quite significant,” Lippiatt said in a news release. “The long-term Read More

Luján Encourages DHS to Use National Labs Rather than Build Duplicative Capabilities

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Rep. Ben Ray Lujan

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District spoke on the House floor late last night in an exchange with the Chairman of the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Rep. John Carter, to encourage the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to utilize the national labs rather than waste money on duplicative capabilities.

Rep. John Carter

The exchange occurred during debate on the Fiscal Year 2014 Homeland Security Appropriations Act. Below are their remarks. Click here<https:////www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-pUTK85SRA&feature=youtu.be Read More

Thompson Ridge Fire Update – Evening of June 5

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The Thompson Ridge Fire battle continues behind the Valles Caldera Headquarters area. Courtesy/VCT

VALLES CALDERA TRUST News:

Thompson Ridge Fire Update

June 5, 2013  9 p.m.

Acres: 10,400                                   

Start date: May 31, 2013

Cause: Downed powerline              

Location: Valles Read More

Bandelier Weekend Events

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BANDELIER News:

Want to take a hike and travel to space all in one day? Explore Bandelier, by daylight and moonlight, during two exciting events.

Celebrate National Get Outdoors Day at 8 a.m. Saturday, June 8, followed from 9-11 p.m. by an Explore the Stars program.

Celebrate National Get Outdoors Day by engaging in healthy, active, outdoor fun on your public lands. Join the Bandelier Trails Program Lead Dale Coker for a hike on the Alamo Boundary Trail.

Coker will lead hikers on an easy trail for one mile to the monument boundary. Participants will then have the opportunity to connect to the Coyote Read More