LAFD NEWS

Los Alamos Fire Department will begin work this week on an important wildfire fuels reduction project that will provide much-needed mitigation in several areas of Los Alamos. LAFD has received grant funding for the project, which will include the following areas: Ponderosa Estates Range Road, North Horse Stable Bench, Walnut Bench, Villa Bench, Lower Loma Linda, Camino Redondo and Camino Uva. 

Starting Thursday, April 2nd, LAFD crews along with crews from Santa Fe County will begin mitigation work in the North Horse Stable Bench area, which includes marking trees to be thinned, chainsaw work and the use of chippers. Residents may hear noise and see activity in the forested areas near this area while work is underway. No traffic disruption is expected as part of this project. Equipment use will be limited to 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Due to unexpected circumstances work will be conducted starting tomorrow through the weekend until mitigation work in these areas have been completed. 

The project will then proceed as crews move from North Horse Stable Bench to other areas shown in the map below. The wildfire fuels reduction project is being conducted to improve wildfire breaks and forest health in the identified areas of the map. The total cost of the project is $455,285. The project will be ending May 31st, 2020 with LAFD performing continued mitigation as funding and resources allow.

Mitigation work will be done in accordance with all CDC COVID-19 guidelines on social distancing. Signage will be posted in all areas to alert residents of work in these areas. Residents with questions or concerns are asked to call LAFD Wildland Division Chief Kelly Sterna at 505-662-8301 or email kelly.sterna@lacnm.us.