Fire

Los Alamos County Council Celebrates How Teamwork, Compassion And Unity Saves Man’s Life

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Los Alamos County Council gathers with Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD) staff and residents Diane and Anthony Montoya, seated at center, to honor the Phoenix Award recipients during Tuesday’s work session. Back row from left, Deputy Fire Chief Tim Johnson, Firefighter Nicholas Lopez, Councilor David Reagor, Driver Engineer Michael Manzanares, Firefighter Jennifer Edmunds, Firefighter Paramedic Brian Thomas, Driver Engineer Paramedic Dustin Rogers, Council Chair Randall Ryti and EMS Division Chief Manuel Pacheco. Front row from left, Council Vice Chair Ryn Herrmann, Councilor Read More

New Mexico Public Safety Workers Call On Senate To Go With Governor’s Higher Pay Plan

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Bryanna Vargas, sergeant at the Springer Correctional Center, speaks in support of 6% raises for state public safety employees to be included in the state budget during a news conference in the rotunda of the state Capitol Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. Photo by Matt Dahlseid/The New Mexican

By NATHAN BROWN
The Santa Fe New Mexican

Public safety workers are urging lawmakers to take up Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s proposal for bigger raises for corrections workers, police and firefighters, arguing the current pay rates put safety at risk by contributing to high vacancies.

“We show up every single Read More

Op-Ed: Protecting Northern New Mexico’s Land, Water, And Communities From Wildfire

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By Sen. Bobby Gonzales, D-Los Alamos
New Mexico District 6

In northern New Mexico, wildfire is not an abstract threat—it is something we have lived through, endured, and are still recovering from.

Communities across Taos, Mora, San Miguel, and Colfax counties know this all too well. The Hermits Peak–Calf Canyon Fire burned hundreds of thousands of acres, displaced families, damaged acequias, destroyed grazing lands, and forever altered watersheds that our villages and pueblos rely on. The scars remain visible today—not just on the land, but in the lives of the people who depend on it.

Our Read More

Update On 1,000 Acre Wildfire In Quay County

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New Mexico Forestry Division News:

The New Mexico Forestry Division has issued an update on a wildfire that is requiring the attention of suppression resources in New Mexico.

The 352 Fire was discovered at 12:30 p.m. today, Feb. 9, near I-40, mile marker 352, north of San Jon in Quay County.

The fire is wind-driven from the southwest and moving through grass and brush. Structures are threatened, and smoke is visible from Interstate 40 and the surrounding areas. 

State Road 469 is closed north of San Jon. Residents should take caution and avoid the area. 

The fire is estimated Read More

Lawmakers Introduce Clear Horizons Act ‘To Protect New Mexico Families From Rising Costs’

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STATE News:

SANTA FE — Lawmakers have formally introduced the Clear Horizons Act (Senate Bill 18), a plan to provide long-term planning, stability, and accountability from the harmful effects of polluting industries.

As New Mexican families continue to face rising costs associated with the waste and byproducts of polluting industries, leaders in Santa Fe are responding with actionable legislation.

The Clear Horizons Act (Senate Bill 18) responds to the real and growing costs New Mexicans are already paying as extreme weather becomes more frequent and severe. New data presented to legislators Read More

Pile Burning Planned In Jemez Ranger District Jan. 26

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SFNF News:

SANTA FE — Santa Fe National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations as early as Monday Jan. 26 in the Jemez Ranger District, pending all required approvals. The 239-acre Horseshoe Piles Project is located adjacent to the Horseshoe Springs community near La Cueva and north of the village of Jemez Springs, N.M. Ignitions are planned for one to four days.

Pile burning is meant to treat slash, like branches, piled by thinning crews with the aim of reducing flammable fuels. The decision to proceed with each pile burn will depend on multiple factors, including snowpack, air quality, Read More

County Shares Pilot Light Safety Tips During Cold Weather

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COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County shares pilot light safety to keep in mind this winter.

The following tips should be taken when a pilot light goes out during cold weather:

          • Do not try to relight it right away if you smell gas;
          • Ventilate the area and leave the space if a gas odor is present;
          • Follow manufacturer instructions before relighting;
          • If unsure or the light won’t stay lit, call a qualified technician; and
          • Use safe alternate heating sources – never use ovens or grills for heat.
Read More

New Los Alamos Fire Chief Erik Litzenberg Expresses Enthusiasm For LAFD And Community

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Los Alamos Fire Chief Erik Litzenberg during an interview Tuesday afternoon at the Los Alamos Daily Post. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

Working for more than 20 years at the Santa Fe Fire Department, Erik Litzenberg said he was always aware of the Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD), but it wasn’t until he had a discussion with former Fire Chief Troy Hughes that the idea to apply for the fire chief position was planted.

Litzenberg said he talked with Hughes before he retired from LAFD about who Hughes thought could step into Read More

Hot Tip: Ashes To Ashes

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State of New Mexico News:

New Mexicans know: There’s nothing quite like coming home to cozy up in front of the fire. Whether wood stove or kiva fireplace, whether for a one-night flame or cooking dinner every evening, fires are winter tradition from Cloudcroft to Cimarron.

This winter has brought record-breaking early season warmth, but cold days are coming, meaning it’s time to crank up the heat at home.

Fire doesn’t end when flames die down:

  • You have to dispose of wood ash safely, too. Tossing ash over the porch railing won’t cut it — even “cold” ashes retain enough heat to ignite flammable materials.
Read More

Pile Burns Begin Friday In Valles Caldera National Preserve

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Pile burns in December 2025 on San Antonio Mountain. Photo by Jason Thivener/NPS

VCNP News:

With the recent snowfall, the National Park Service will ignite burn piles starting Friday, Jan. 9, on the Cerro Pinon Unit of Valles Caldera National Preserve. Smoke will be visible from the unit, located on the north side of Valle Grande.

Burning activities will continue throughout the winter months as weather and fuel conditions allow, and ignitions will occur only when adequate snow cover or moisture is present to ensure safe and effective operations.

These prescribed pile burns are designed to Read More