A local brush pile. Courtesy/LAC

COUNTY News:

In response to the dry and warm winter season and associated wildfire concerns, Los Alamos County is expanding curbside bulk brush collection services offered to residents during the weeks of Feb. 23, March 9, and March 23. 

Please note the following guidelines and limitations, which help ensure that the curbside collection process runs smoothly and efficiently:

• Residents must sign up and schedule a bulk pickup by contacting Environmental Services by phone at 505.662.8163 or email at solidwaste@losalamonm.gov.
• A maximum of 15 bulk service pickups per day will be performed, which are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.
• The bulk brush collection will use 3 of your 12 annual free loads.
• Bulk brush items are limited to 8 cubic yards per household (yard and brush waste only!)
• Place materials curbside, away from powerlines, utility boxes, manhole covers, and other obstacles.
• Use brown brush bags to collect and contain smaller items such as pine needles, leaves and smaller branches. The bags should be securely tied and contain only yard waste to prevent contamination and damage to brush mulching equipment.
• For larger brush or tree branches, bundle them into manageable piles to facilitate collection.
• Avoid placing materials that are too large for the collection vehicle to handle. Example – oversized logs exceeding 12” in diameter and tree stumps.

Environmental Services Manager Armando Gabaldon said, “Residents can also drop off yard waste at the Eco Station seven days a week, and at Overlook Convenience Center in White Rock Friday through Tuesday.”  

There is a 3-cubic-yard load restriction at Overlook. Regular bulk service collection is also available year-round for a small charge. Gabaldon notes that regular curbside brush cart (brown bin) collection begins the week of March 23.

“The curbside brush program offers a convenient way for residents to dispose of their yard waste to help keep their property and neighborhoods tidy, while the temporary expanded service offers another way to help reduce the threat of wildfires,” Public Works Director Eric Martinez said.

Fire Chief Erik Litzenberg also reminds the community that risks to properties from wildfires can be reduced by building structures with materials and methods that make them more fire resistant, and by managing burnable materials and creating defensible space.

“Bulk brush collections are a great way that the County helps residents and property owners dispose of natural materials for wildfire mitigation,” Chief Litzenberg said.

The Ready, Set, Go! Guide can help residents determine the best ways to create defensible space, and are found at the following link: https://www.losalamosnm.us/Government/Staff-Directory-and-Departments/Fire-Department/Wildland-Division/Ready-Set-Go.