US Forest Service sued over flooding deaths in the wake of New Mexico's largest recorded wildfire
1 year, 2 months ago

US Forest Service sued over flooding deaths in the wake of New Mexico's largest recorded wildfire

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Relatives of three people who died last year in a flash flood stemming from the largest wildfire in New Mexico’s recorded history are suing the U.S. Forest Service. The wrongful death lawsuit filed earlier this month alleges the Forest Service was negligent in the management of the prescribed burn and also failed to close roads and prevent access to areas at risk for flooding that followed the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. The three West Texas residents were staying at a family cabin in northern New Mexico in July 2022 when monsoon rains hit the burn scar near Tecolote Creek.

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History of this topic

FBI seeks suspects in 2 New Mexico wildfires that killed 2 people, damaged hundreds of buildings
6 months ago

FBI seeks suspects in 2 New Mexico wildfires that killed 2 people, damaged hundreds of buildings

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Full-time residents of Ruidoso will …

New Mexico wildfires: FBI offers reward for information about those responsible
6 months ago

New Mexico wildfires: FBI offers reward for information about those responsible

Hindustan Times  

Federal authorities offered a reward for information about those responsible for igniting a pair of New Mexico wildfires that killed two people and destroyed hundreds of homes in the past week. The FBI on Saturday offered up to USD 10,000 for information in connection with the South Fork Fire and Salt Fire in southern New Mexico, which forced thousands to …

At least 1 dead in New Mexico wildfire that forced thousands to flee, governor’s office says
6 months, 1 week ago

At least 1 dead in New Mexico wildfire that forced thousands to flee, governor’s office says

Associated Press  

SANTA FE, N.M. — Thousands of southern New Mexico residents fled a mountainous village as a wind-whipped wildfire tore through homes and other buildings, and killed at least one person. “Within an hour, the police department, the fire department, everybody’s there blocking, barricading the roads to our area and telling everybody to leave,” he said. “Thank God we were ready.” …

US Forest Service burn started wildfire that nearly reached Los Alamos, New Mexico, agency says
1 year, 5 months ago

US Forest Service burn started wildfire that nearly reached Los Alamos, New Mexico, agency says

Associated Press  

SANTA FE, N.M. — The U.S. Forest Service’s own prescribed burn started a sprawling 2022 wildfire that nearly reached Los Alamos, New Mexico, the agency acknowledged Monday in a report published after a lengthy investigation. The Cerro Pelado fire burned in dry, windy conditions across more than 60 square miles and crept within a few miles of the city of …

U.S. Forest Service burn started wildfire that nearly reached Los Alamos, N.M., agency says
1 year, 5 months ago

U.S. Forest Service burn started wildfire that nearly reached Los Alamos, N.M., agency says

LA Times  

The U.S. Forest Service says its own prescribed burn started a 2022 wildfire that nearly burned into Los Alamos, N.M. The Cerro Pelado fire burned across more than 60 square miles and crept within a few miles of the city of Los Alamos and its companion U.S. national security lab. Investigations traced the outbreak of the wildfire in April 2022 …

Officials warn of wildfire risk as Southwest US dries out
1 year, 8 months ago

Officials warn of wildfire risk as Southwest US dries out

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Feds send $930 million to curb ‘crisis’ of US West wildfires
1 year, 11 months ago

Feds send $930 million to curb ‘crisis’ of US West wildfires

Associated Press  

— The U.S. is directing $930 million toward reducing wildfire dangers in 10 western states by clearing trees and underbrush from national forests, the Biden administration announced Thursday, as officials struggle to protect communities from destructive infernos being made worse by climate change. You’re seeing entire neighborhoods devastated.” Vilsack said the projects announced so far will help reduce wildfire risk …

Feds send $930 million to curb 'crisis' of US West wildfires
1 year, 11 months ago

Feds send $930 million to curb 'crisis' of US West wildfires

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “We need to have a …

Record-setting wildfire in New Mexico declared contained
2 years, 4 months ago

Record-setting wildfire in New Mexico declared contained

Associated Press  

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — More than four grueling months and $300 million later, the federal government has declared the largest wildfire in New Mexico’s recorded history 100% contained, a notable milestone but just another step in what local residents and officials say will be a long journey toward recovery. Others have complained that federal officials don’t understand rural life in northern …

Ecologists say federal wildfire plans are dangerously out of step with climate change
2 years, 5 months ago

Ecologists say federal wildfire plans are dangerously out of step with climate change

NPR  

Ecologists say federal wildfire plans are dangerously out of step with climate change Enlarge this image toggle caption Mario Tama/Getty Images Mario Tama/Getty Images The federal Government Accountability Office is launching an investigation after U.S. Forest Service-controlled burns that escaped caused the largest wildfire ever recorded in New Mexico. Sponsor Message "A lot of the planning tools that fire managers …

Massive New Mexico blaze blamed on miscalculations, errors
2 years, 6 months ago

Massive New Mexico blaze blamed on miscalculations, errors

Associated Press  

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — U.S. Forest Service employees made multiple miscalculations, used inaccurate models and underestimated how dry conditions were in the Southwest, causing a planned burn to reduce the threat of wildfires to explode into the largest blaze in New Mexico’s recorded history, the agency said Tuesday. “The devastating impact of this fire to the communities and livelihoods of those …

Western wildfires force evacuations in Arizona, California
2 years, 6 months ago

Western wildfires force evacuations in Arizona, California

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The number of square miles burned …

New Mexico residents sue for information on massive wildfire
2 years, 6 months ago

New Mexico residents sue for information on massive wildfire

Associated Press  

SANTA FE, N.M. — Dozens of residents in a small New Mexico community impacted by massive wildfires that merged in April are suing the U.S. Forest Service over what they called a failure to provide information about the government’s role in starting the blazes. The Forest Service has acknowledged that two prescribed burns it set to clear out brush and …

New Mexico wildfire scar burn has forest officials worried
2 years, 6 months ago

New Mexico wildfire scar burn has forest officials worried

Associated Press  

SANTA FE, N.M. — As more than 3,000 firefighters in northern New Mexico continued to battle the nation’s largest active wildfire Sunday, federal forest officials worried about future flash floods, landslides and destructive ash from the burn scar. A hazard assessment from the Forest Service and U.S. Geological Survey shows that some burned areas on the New Mexico fire could …

US forest service admits to starting New Mexico fire nearly the size of greater London
2 years, 6 months ago

US forest service admits to starting New Mexico fire nearly the size of greater London

The Independent  

One of the two blazes in New Mexico that combined to become the largest wildfire in the state was started by the US Forest Service, the agency has admitted. USFS said on Friday that the Calf Canyon fire started from a planned burn it set over the winter, but turned into a “sleeper fire,” that continued to smolder unnoticed. Then …

Tens of thousands have evacuated their New Mexico homes as massive wildfire grows
2 years, 7 months ago

Tens of thousands have evacuated their New Mexico homes as massive wildfire grows

NPR  

Tens of thousands have evacuated their New Mexico homes as massive wildfire grows The biggest wildfire in the U.S. has been threatening homes and people in New Mexico for more than a month now. FORDHAM: That's Santa Fe National Forest ranger Steven Romero at an online meeting apologizing for letting a prescribed burn get out of control. But Ray Sanchez, …

Wind whips destructive wildfires in New Mexico, Colorado
2 years, 8 months ago

Wind whips destructive wildfires in New Mexico, Colorado

Associated Press  

Firefighters scouted the drought-stricken mountainsides around a New Mexico village on Wednesday as they looked for opportunities to slow a wind-driven wildfire that a day earlier had burned at least 150 homes and other structures while displacing thousands of residents and forcing the evacuation of two schools. But some planes returned to the air as winds subsided late in the …

Couple found dead as wildfire destroys New Mexico homes
2 years, 8 months ago

Couple found dead as wildfire destroys New Mexico homes

Al Jazeera  

The wind-driven blaze, burning for days, is believed to have killed a New Mexico couple and destroyed more than 200 homes The remains of a New Mexico couple were found near their burned home as a wind-driven wildfire charred more than 200 residences on the edge of a mountain community in the southern part of the state. Fire crews on …

US plans $50B wildfire fight where forests meet civilization
2 years, 11 months ago

US plans $50B wildfire fight where forests meet civilization

Associated Press  

— The Biden administration said Tuesday it will significantly expand efforts to stave off catastrophic wildfires that have torched areas of the U.S. West by more aggressively thinning forests around “hot spots” where nature and neighborhoods collide. “The time to act is now if we want to ultimately over time change the trajectory of these fires.” Specific projects weren’t immediately …

California says federal ‘let it burn’ policy is reckless as wildfires rage out of control
3 years, 4 months ago

California says federal ‘let it burn’ policy is reckless as wildfires rage out of control

LA Times  

A firefighter sprays water while trying to stop the Sugar fire from spreading to neighboring homes in Doyle, Calif., on July 10. “In my jurisdiction, I have been super aggressive in trying to put out small,” said Scott Packwood, Cal Fire’s unit chief for the Lassen-Modoc area, where the Sugar fire eventually crossed from federal to state land. Now we …

150 million dead trees could fuel unprecedented firestorms in the Sierra Nevada
4 years, 3 months ago

150 million dead trees could fuel unprecedented firestorms in the Sierra Nevada

LA Times  

The Creek fire exploded and surrounded Shaver Lake in California, seen here on Sept. 6. “All of us on the paper were suggesting that if you are going to try to reduce that mass fire problem in the future, you really need to start putting prescribed fire into these stands to start whittling away at those bigger fuels,” said Forest …

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