LAFD and Parks and Open Space Begin Wildfire Fuels Reduction Project

Published on March 12, 2025

Starting Monday, March 17th, Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD) in collaboration with Los Alamos County Parks and Open Space Department will begin work on an important wildfire fuels reduction project that will provide much-needed mitigation in several areas of Los Alamos. The primary focus points of this project will include ladder fuels reduction, increasing tree canopy spacing and fuel break construction.

LAFD has identified multiple project areas, which include the following areas:

• North Rd and Ridgeway - 7 acres

• San Ildefonso Rd and El Gancho St. - 3 acres

• Barranca Crossing - 2 acres

• Canada Del Buey Trail -17 acres

• Pueblo Canyon - 25 acres

LAFD crews along with Los Alamos County Parks and Open Space will start mitigation work in the North Rd. area, which includes marking trees to be thinned, chainsaw work and the use of woodchippers.

Residents may hear noise and see activity in the forested areas from chainsaws and woodchipper operations. No traffic disruption is expected as part of this project.

Equipment use will be limited to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Work will be conducted Monday through Friday and the weekend until mitigation work in these areas has been completed.

This project will continue throughout the spring and summer months with crews performing continued mitigation as funding, resources and weather conditions allow. Signage will be posted in areas to alert residents of the work being performed. Please stay clear of the mitigation in these areas and adhere to posted signage to avoid hazardous operations.

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.