Los Alamos Reporter

White Rock Library To Host ‘Discover! Wildfire Preparedness 101’ Presented By LAFD Wildland Division Chief Van Leimer April 16

COUNTY NEWS RELEASE

The White Rock Branch Library will host “Discover! Wildfire Preparedness 101,” a free program for adults, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16, 2026, in the branch library’s multipurpose room.

The event is part of the library’s adult Discover! program series and will provide an overview of wildfire risk in Los Alamos County, along with practical steps residents can take to safeguard their homes and families. The presentation incorporates principles such as defensible space, ignition-resistant construction, and community-level mitigation strategies, drawing on nationally recognized best practices from the 2021 International Wildland-Urban Interface (IWUI) Code, the Ready, Set, Go! Program, and the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).

The presentation will cover practical steps for fire preparedness, home hardening, and evacuation readiness to equip the community to reduce wildfire risk. It will also include an overview of the Los Alamos Fire Department’s free Home Assessment Program. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation, and participants are encouraged to come prepared with their questions.

 Van Leimer, Wildland Division Chief for the Los Alamos Fire Department, will present the program. Leimer joined the Los Alamos Fire Department in 2009. He has served in a range of operational and leadership roles, including paramedic, driver engineer, captain, and Wildland/Special Operations Division Chief during his time with the department.

In his current role, he oversees the Wildland Fire Division and Special Operations, including Technical Rope Rescue, Hazardous Materials, and Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF). He has deployed to multiple fires throughout New Mexico and across the western United States as an engine captain and Task Force Leader.

 This in-person event is free and open to the public with no registration required; the 40 seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For additional information, call the White Rock Branch Library at 505-662-8265 or view the program in the library event calendar.