COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Fire Department will relax its fire restrictions at noon today to Stage I in Los Alamos County.
This relaxation of fire restrictions is based upon:
- Local weather improvement, including:
- Recent regular rainfall
- The local (7) day forecast that reflects the apparent onset of the monsoon season
- Rising humidity values in the weather
- Fuel condition improvements, including:
- Reduction in Fire Danger Level, from Extreme to High
- Reduction in Ignition Potential, from 100% to 70%
- Increase in the Dead Fuel Moistures to double-digit levels.
- Daily fire occurrence situation.
- o The number of lighting caused starts remains steady; however, large fire potential is down.
- o Adequate fire resources available.
- Preparedness level
- The Southwest Area has downgraded the Preparedness Level to III based on predicted reduction in new starts and fire behavior.
Effective at noon Los Alamos County returns to Stage I Fire Restrictions, which prohibit:
- Building, maintaining or using an open fire on all Los Alamos County lands except within developed campsites (concrete pad with metal fire ring), metal grills using charcoal or propane are acceptable on North Mesa campgrounds, at Overlook Park and at any park within Los Alamos County.
- Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 3-feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
These restrictions will be in effect until the fire danger level is reduced to low.
The Los Alamos County Fire Department continues to work with the U.S. Forest Service, Los Alamos National Laboratory Emergency Management and the U.S. Park Service and will closely monitor local wildfire conditions.
Residents will be advised if/when these conditions change.
