News - Los Alamos County

News

County remains “ready”; services open, and asks community to remain diligent in Stage 3

Los Alamos County officials remind the community that even though the county has moved from “Set” to “Ready” this week, thanks to the thousands of firefighting personnel who have contained 74 percent of the Cerro Pelado fire, Stage 3 fire restrictions remain in place. This is due to unprecedented dry conditions and dangerously high risk of fire. READ MORE...

Aquatic Center Closed 5/23-5/27 Maintenance; Front Desk Services Temporarily Move to Municipal Bldg, Room 200

The Los Alamos Aquatic Center will close, May 23 – 27, 2022 for maintenance. The Aquatic Center front desk operations will be shifted to the Municipal Building, Room 200. Office hours will be from 8:00am – 5:00pm, Monday – Friday. READ MORE...

Library to Present Public Program on the Decade-Long Fenn Treasure Hunt

Cerro Pelado Fire Final Update 5/17 14:00

Cerro Pelado fire over 70% contained; Los Alamos National Laboratory and County move back to ‘ready’ phase of preparedness READ MORE...

Late Fees to be Waived for Missing Utility Bills

Billing specialists for the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) discovered today that a bill file sent to DPU’s printing contractor was inadvertently skipped over in the printing and mailing process. The error affects customers on Cycle 23 who get hard-copy bills through the mail. READ MORE...

Community Art Tunnel at Canyon Rim Underpass

Those who have walked through the newly installed underpass for the Canyon Rim Trail, may have noticed some changes the last couple of weeks and definitely some changes this past weekend. Los Alamos County Community Services Department is initiating a new program called The Community Art Tunnel. READ MORE...

Cerro Pelado Fire Update 5/16 14:45

Cerro Pelado fire Monday update: Fire 62% contained; stage 3 fire restrictions to remain in place to prevent new fires READ MORE...

Cerro Pelado fire community meeting Mon, May 16

The Great Basin Team 1 and community representatives will brief the Los Alamos community on the Cerro Pelado fire on Monday evening. The public is welcome to attend in person or virtually through Zoom. READ MORE...

Cerro Pelado Fire Update 5/15 12:45pm

Cerro Pelado fire Sunday update: Fire 40% contained; residents and employees urged to remain vigilant READ MORE...

Cerro Pelado Fire Update 5/14 13:00

Cerro Pelado fire Saturday update: Fire 23% contained; Lab, County to remain in ‘set’ for now READ MORE...

Clarification regarding trails, roads, and open spaces closed within Los Alamos County

Los Alamos County Fire Marshal Wendy Servey clarifies that the use and access of all public trail systems, unpaved roads, and open spaces on public or private lands within the County are prohibited during Stage 3 Fire Restrictions. . This includes Pajarito Mountain and Rendija Canyon (except access to shooting range indoor programs and residents); however, this road would be opened in the event of an evacuation. READ MORE...

Golf Course Opens Saturday, other County facilities open Monday, May 16

County officials announce the Golf Course will open to the public on Saturday, May 14. Other county facilities will open Monday, May 16, with the exception of Camp May and White Rock Visitor Center. Additionally, per the Fire Marshal's Order issued on May 5, 2022 use and access of all public trail systems, unpaved roads, and open spaces on public or private lands within the County are prohibited during Stage 3 Fire Restrictions. READ MORE...

Los Alamos County declares fire danger emergency; county remains in “set”; no evacuations

Los Alamos County Manager Steven Lynne announced that Acting Council Chair Denise Derkacs has declared a fire danger emergency in the County of Los Alamos due to the Cerro Pelado fire that has burned just outside the community for 21 days, has grown to 45,394 acres and is 19 percent contained. He emphasized that the county and the Los Alamos National Laboratory remain in the ‘set’ phase of ‘ready, set, go,’ and no evacuation orders have been issued. READ MORE...

DPU Will Never Require Phone Payments

Beware of phishing scams again, per the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU). Customers have recently reported receiving scam phone calls stating utility payments must be made immediately during the call to avoid disconnection. While DPU may reach out to customers about past due payments by phone, the department’s representatives will never require that a payment be made over the phone. READ MORE...

Cerro Pelado Fire Update 5/13 14:50

Cerro Pelado fire Friday update: Progress continues, fire 19% contained, caution urged READ MORE...

Defensible Space & Special Yard Waste Collection

As firefighters battle the Cerro Pelado fire to keep the Los Alamos and White Rock communities safe, County officials remind citizens they can implement some mitigation measures themselves. To protect homes and neighborhoods, residents can clear dry vegetation from their homes and create a defensible space. To support this effort, next week (May 16 – 20) the Los Alamos County Environmental Services will provide a special yard trimming roll cart collection, in addition to its regularly scheduled trash and recycling collection. READ MORE...

National Police Week

The Los Alamos Police Department will be holding the Annual Police Memorial Ceremony next Monday, May 16 at 10:00 a.m. at 2500 Trinity Dr. in the north Justice Center Parking Lot in Los Alamos. READ MORE...

DPU Eases Outdoor Watering Curtailment

Relaxed guidance on watering during the Set stage of evacuation preparedness will allow Los Alamos County property owners to irrigate fully again. The Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities (DPU) previously issued a request for businesses and residents within the county to refrain from outdoor watering due to the Cerro Pelado Fire. READ MORE...

County to conduct CodeRED emergency alert test Friday, May 13

Los Alamos County Emergency Management will conduct a CodeRED emergency alert test on Friday, May 13 at 3:00 p.m. The test will be sent to all Los Alamos County residents enrolled in the CodeRED system, and should be received via phone call, text message and/or email, based on the preferences chosen by the resident when enrolled. READ MORE...

Cerro Pelado Fire Update 5/12 14:30

Cerro Pelado fire Thursday update: Fire growth smallest yet, crews still focus on Alamo Canyon, winds improve READ MORE...

Cerro Pelado Fire Community Briefing 5/12

The Great Basin Team 1 and community representatives will brief the Los Alamos community on the Cerro Pelado fire on Thursday evening. The public is welcome to attend in person or virtually through Zoom. READ MORE...

Leisure Lagoon Update

On March 31st, the County informed residents the opening of the Leisure Lagoon was postponed to late June due to supply chain issues involving vital pool equipment. Unfortunately, these supply issues continue to delay shipment of this equipment further postponing opening of the pool, possibly to mid or late August. The contractor and pool engineers thoroughly investigated alternative equipment and supply sources and found no other available options to date. Staff is working closely with the construction and design team to open the new facility as soon as possible even as recreation facilities have been closed due to the nearby Cerro Pelado fire. READ MORE...

2022 Primary Election: Make Your “Ready, Set, Go” Voting Plans

Today marked the start of in-person early voting for the 2022 Primary Election, and County Clerk Naomi Maestas would like to let residents know that her office is working hard to make sure citizens are still able to vote while the community is impacted by the Cerro Pelado Fire. As the County moves between the "Ready, Set, Go" phases of the wildfire preparedness program, Clerk Maestas recommends citizens stay informed by visiting their webpage for up-to-date election information, and urges residents to solidify a voting plan. “Our democracy is resilient in Los Alamos County - but it is important to have flexibility and options for voters, particularly in a time of crisis. It is vital that we give confidence to our voters, that even during this wildfire emergency, they can access their ballot and let their voice be heard,” says Clerk Maestas. READ MORE...

Cerro Pelado Fire Update 5/10 13:15

Cerro Pelado fire grew slowly overnight despite high winds, but fire officials remain vigilant, ask residents to do the same READ MORE...

Leisure Lagoon Update & Scheduled Closure of the Aquatic Center

Stop Outdoor Watering During Set Phase

Officials from the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) are asking residents and businesses to stop outdoor water use until Los Alamos is no longer threatened by the Cerro Pelado Fire. READ MORE...

County moves to “set”; no evacuations but citizens asked to prepare

Due to the Cerro Pelado fire, Los Alamos County (both townsite and White Rock) moved to the "set" phase of the "ready, set, go" program as of 8 a.m. Monday, May 9. The County moved to maximum telework and closed non-essential facilities such as libraries. READ MORE...

Los Alamos County Community Services Department Closures

Due to the Cerro Pelado Fire, which continues to burn approx. 3.5 miles from LANL property and approx. 7 miles from Los Alamos Townsite, the Los Alamos County Community Services Department and its divisions have shifted to telework by reducing the number of people physically on-site where possible to ensure the County is better prepared if conditions change. The change in staffing will affect public facilities and planned meetings as outlined below until further notice. READ MORE...

Cerro Pelado Fire Sunday Update: Lab and Los Alamos County to move to ‘set’ stage on Monday as precaution; there is no emergency and no evacuation

Red flag conditions (high wind, low humidity) over the last day and a half have caused the Cerro Pelado fire in the Jemez Mountains to grow to over 37,425 acres. While small spot fires are burning slowly in a few locations, including Alamo Canyon, about 3.5 miles from the Laboratory and 7 miles from the Los Alamos townsite, fire officials said Sunday that there is no cause for alarm. There is no emergency and no call for an evacuation. As a precautionary measure only, the Laboratory and the County on Sunday announced that they will move to the “set” phase of “ready, set, go” at 8 a.m. on Monday, May 9, for the townsite and White Rock. “Set” means that conditions could change rapidly, and it is time to create a plan and prepare in case of an evacuation order. For frequently asked questions related to preparation, click here. The County has also posted FAQs on its webpage at lacnm.com/CerroPeladoFAQ READ MORE...

Atomic City Transit Routes 4, 6, 2M and Peak Service Suspended Monday, May 9th

Atomic City Transit Routes 4, 6, 2M and Peak service will be suspended starting Monday, May 9th until further notice. Dial-A-Ride Service for areas not serviced by a fixed route will be provided on a space available basis. All other transit service will remain in service. Please call our office at (505) 661-RIDE (7433) for any additional information or use the ACTracker to locate your bus route in real-time. READ MORE...

Overlook Park Closed to Public

Overlook Park will be closed to the public until further notice, effective Monday. READ MORE...

White Rock Overlook Park CLOSED

Overlook Park will be closed to the public until further notice, effective Monday. READ MORE...

County provides list of shelter resources so residents can proactively plan

Los Alamos County remains in the "ready" phase of "ready, set, go," meaning there is no immediate emergency from the Cerro Pelado fire. However, according to Emergency Manager Beverley Simpson, residents should proactively consider where they could go, shelter animals and park vehicles if the County's status were to change and residents needed to evacuate. READ MORE...

Do Not Turn Your Gas or Electricity Off

Please do not turn off your own gas or electric service even when planning for potential evacuation, per the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU). READ MORE...

Cerro Pelado Fire Update 5/6 16:30

High-winds and dry conditions through Monday could challenge Cerro Pelado firefighting efforts; caution urged this weekend READ MORE...

DPU Ensures Water for Fire Fighting

The Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is taking precautionary measures regarding the Cerro Pelado Fire, especially in consideration of potential interruptions to the electric and water supplies within the county. READ MORE...

Cerro Pelado Fire Update 5/5 15:30

Cerro Pelado fire still 10 miles from Los Alamos townsite; favorable weather conditions continue for firefighting efforts but expect smoke in Los Alamos area Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos County and the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Los Alamos Field Office update community on status of fire currently burning in Jemez Mountains READ MORE...

Notice and Order of Stage 3 Fire Restrictions and Closure

Fire Marshal Wendy Servey is escalating Fire Restrictions to Stage 3 which involves closure of the unpaved trail systems along with other types of activity for Los Alamos County, effective May 7, 2022. READ MORE...

Cerro Pelado Fire Update 5/4 15:00

Mitigation efforts continue to fight Cerro Pelado fire; more favorable conditions expected over next few days Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos County and the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Los Alamos Field Office update community on status of fire currently burning in Jemez Mountains READ MORE...

NMSU’s Sally Cassady to Share Expert Gardening Advice

Los Alamos County Library staff are pleased to present Vegetable Gardening in New Mexico, a virtual program with New Mexico State University (NMSU) Food Systems Specialist Sally Cassady. This program is free to the public and will be live-streamed via Zoom on Thursday, May 12 from 7 to 8pm. Attendees can expect to receive expert advice on ways to make their vegetable gardens successful in New Mexico’s unique climate. READ MORE...

Golf Course Closed for Greens Aerification

Golf Course will be closed Monday, May 9th for greens aerification. Tee times will be available beginning 9:00am Tuesday, May 10th. Because the putting green receives more traffic than any other playing surface, the aeration process helps relieve the compactions caused by the additional traffic. It also helps create a firm, smooth putting surface by controlling thatch and promoting healthy turf roots. READ MORE...

Cerro Pelado Fire Update 5/3 18:30

Cerro Pelado fire Tuesday update: No red flag weather conditions forecasted next few days; Lab announces it could shift to Maximum Telework if fire crosses Dome Road READ MORE...

Not all heroes are in uniform...

Not all heroes are in uniform… In the afternoon of May 2, 2022 fire crews from Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD) Station 3 responded to a fire call of an outdoor fire near Beryl Street in White Rock. When crews arrived, the fire was out. The crews and fire investigators on scene quickly learned what happened. READ MORE...

Systems to be Down at Customer Care

The Customer Care Center at the Department of Public Utilities will be closed on Wednesday, May 11, from 1 to 5 p.m. Billing, cashiering and property tax software will be down all day and staff will participate in training in the afternoon. READ MORE...

Cerro Pelado Fire Update 5/11 15:00

Cerro Pelado Fire Update 5/9 18:45

Cerro Pelado Fire Community Briefing 5/9

Cerro Pelado Fire Update 5/7 13:15

Red Flag conditions predicted at least through Monday, 6 more Hotshot teams join fire crews READ MORE...

Cerro Pelado fire community briefing tonight at 5:30pm