Archive for Announcements
Fuelwood Permits Available By Drawing
by Karen Takai, U.S. Forest Service
ALBUQUERQUE, NM. April 12, 2011 – The Sandia Ranger District will be offering registration for fuelwood permit drawings
ONE DAY ONLY
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011
Registration for permits will be accepted ON THAT DAY ONLY.
Register by call in, fax, or walk in that day.
Walk In Office Location: Tijeras, 11776 Hwy South 337, one mile south of I-40 (EXIT 175)
Call In: (505)-281-3304 ext: 0
Fax In: (505) 281-1176
If your name is drawn you will be allowed one permit per household, that includes two cords for $20.00. Permits will be drawn as wood becomes available throughout the season.
For additional information contact the Sandia Ranger District at (505) 281-3304 ext: 0
Fire Restrictions begin for Cibola National Forest
by Arlene Perea, U.S. Forest Service
ALBUQUERQUE, NM., April 8, 2011 – Beginning April 11, 2011 at 8:00 a.m., Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will be placed on public lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service – Cibola National Forest. The restrictions will cover the following Ranger Districts: Magdalena, Mountainair and Sandia (three mountain districts). These restrictions will remain in force until rescinded.
Conditions this year are similar to the 2008 fire season with no end in sight to the dry conditions, above normal temperatures and winds. Weather predictions are indicating limited precipitation and above normal temperatures for the coming months, which could bring about an early fire season. Forest officials will continue to monitor the conditions on the ground daily.
STAGE 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS
The following acts are prohibited on public lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service – Cibola National Forest until further notice:
1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire except in U.S. Forest Service developed campsites and picnic grounds where grills and stoves are provided.
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
3. Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device.
The following persons are exempt from this order on public lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service – Cibola National Forest:
1. Persons with a permit that authorizes actions specifically prohibited by this order.
2. Any Federal, State or Local Officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
3. Owners or lessees of land within the restricted areas are exempt from prohibition 1 stated above, provided such fires are within their residence.
Visitors to the Cibola National Forest should always be aware of weather conditions and be careful with the use of fire outdoors. If visitors have questions or concerns please feel free to contact the U.S. Forest Service offices. You may also visit our website at http://fs.usda.gov/cibola or follow us on TWITTER @ Cibola_NF.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
District City Phone
Magdalena Ranger District Magdalena, NM 575-854-2281
Mountainair Ranger District Mountainair, NM 505-847-2990
Sandia Ranger District Tijeras, NM 505-281-3304
The “Master Naturalist Program” Sprouts For A Second Time
by Brianna Anderson, Bernalillo County Public Information Specialist
Bernalillo County – Bernalillo County Master Naturalists are volunteer educators, citizen scientists, and stewards helping to conserve and manage natural resources on Open Space. The program, being spearheaded in New Mexico, is in its second pilot year and the County is offering training this summer for incoming volunteers. The program is ideal for individuals who love the outdoors and are interested in supporting land health conservation measures. This unique and free opportunity presents participants with a wealth of knowledge, experience, and an accreditation for their resumes.
“This program is an exciting venture for our state, focusing on natural resource management and the human relationship to our local environment,” says Open Space Coordinator Colleen McRoberts. “I believe this program will help to enlightening our community by connecting citizens to the natural world, which we are intrinsically part of, while improving the environment.”
The deadline for receiving applications has been extended to April 15th. People interested in applying should go to www.bernco.gov/openspace and click on the “Master Naturalist Program” link. Applicants must be adults; at least 18 years of age, preferable have some field experience, and live within Bernalillo County. The 55 hours of hands-on field experience will be offered from June through July.
Space is limited to only 25 applicants, so apply today!
Public Service Announcement – Fire Preparation Class
by Karen Takai, U.S. Forest Service, on behalf of the East Mountain Fire Protection Association (EMIFPA)
WE ARE IN FIRE SEASON ……. WHAT DO YOU DO NOW?
Reservations Necessary
The East Mountain Interagency Fire Protection Association ( EMIFPA) will be hosting a Defensible Space and Fire Preparedness program for the East Mountains, Albuquerque Foothill Communities, Bosque and Placitas areas.
This is a practical training. You will leave the class with:
- Defensible space plan
- Personal evacuation plan
- Please Respond – RSVP by E-Mail only to bhelmich@flash.net
- Write the following information:
- East Mountain or Albuquerque Program,
- Name
- Number of people
- Your e-mail address
ALBUQUERQUE program 1: Limited Space 50 People
April 12, 2011 Tuesday
Manzano Mesa – Westside Social Hall 501 Elizabeth St
Take Eubank south past Central, left on Southern, right on Elizabeth
6pm to 8:45pm
Bring water, snacks, paper and pen.
East Mountain Program 2: Limited Space 100 people
April 14, 2011 Thursday
San Antonito Elementary School located approximately 7 miles north of 1-40 on NM Hwy 14
6pm to 9pm
Bring water, snacks, paper and pen.
EMIFPA Partners include:
City of Albuquerque Fire & Emergency Operations – US Forest Service – Bernalillo, Santa Fe, & Sandoval County Fire and Sheriff’s Department- New Mexico State Forestry – CERT -America Red Cross – Village of Tijeras – La Madera Fire Department – Kirtland Fire Dept – Cuidad Soil and Water Conservation Districts- NM State Department of Homeland Security
Public Service Announcement – St. Vincent de Paul Society Sale
Checking in on our friends at Mountainair Announcements, we find that the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is holding a sale at their location in Mountainair (208 Broadway) from April 5 through April 9, with a number of special donations not previously available in their store for sale on April 9. For more information, see the Mountainair Announcements article.
Public Service Announcement: Mountainair Blood Drive
Checking in on our friends at Mountainair Announcements, we find that there will be a blood drive at the Dr. Saul Community Center on Tuesday, April 5 from 12 to 5 p.m. For more information, including contacts, see the Mountainair Announcments article.
Public Service Announcement: Bernalillo County Noise Ordinance Amendments Meeting
WHO: Commissioner Wayne Johnson and the Bernalillo County Environmental Health Office to host a public meeting in district five to discuss the proposed noise ordinance amendments with the community. Commissioner Wiener will be in attendance to introduce the proposed amendments.
WHEN: Monday, March 21st from 6:30p.m. to 9:00p.m.
WHERE: Los Vecinos Community Center
478 ½ Old Highway 66
Tijeras, NM 87059
For more information, contact:
Breanna Anderson
bcanderson@bernco.gov
O. 505.468.7344
C. 505.414.0485
Public Service Announcment: First 2011 Season East Mountain Fire Awareness Meeting
by Larry Gallegos, Public Information Specialist-Bernalillo County Public Information Department
Bernalillo County Commissioner Wayne Johnson is calling on all East Mountain residents to attend the first East Mountain fire awareness meeting of the 2011 fire season.
The meeting will be held on Friday, March 25, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Los Vecinos Community Center, 478 1/2 Old Hwy. 66, in Tijeras.
“I encourage all East Mountain residents to come and see how Bernalillo County and other area agencies are preparing for this fire season and to learn how citizens can prepare themselves in case of a fire,” said Commissioner Johnson.
Representatives from the Bernalillo County Fire Department and Fire Marshal’s Office, the Office of Emergency Management, Animal Care Services, U.S. Forest Service and others will be on hand. Topics will include: preparing for a fire, developing evacuation plans for residents and their animals, weather patterns and fire behavior expected this year. There will be a question and answer period after the presentations from all the panelists.
PSA: Sprouting Class To Be Held In Edgewood
A sprouting class will be held Saturday, March 12 at 10 a.m. at a new business in Edgewood. Pathways to Wellness is located at #06 Shetland Road, Edgewood. The class will cover a wide variety of sprouting as well as how to grow wheatgrass and sunflower greens, natural fermentation for probiotics and much more. Cost is $5.00 and includes detailed handouts and material for a homemade sprouter. Seating is limited, so please RSVP. For more information or to reserve a space, call Lisa Ross at (505) 990-1770 or e-mail path2well@gmail.com.
Public Service Announcement: Today’s EBWPC Special Meeting Canceled
from the Estancia Basin Water Planning Committee:
Due to weather conditions the EBWPC Special Closed Meeting has been cancelled for Wednesday 2/3/2011 at 9:00 a.m. and has been re-scheduled for Wednesday 2/9/2011 at 10:00 a.m. held at the USDA Service Center conference room located 715 South 5th Street, Estancia, NM 87016.
Sorry for any inconvenience for any of the EBWPC members.
Public Service Announcement: Estancia Basin Resource Association Annual Meeting Tomorrow
The Estancia Basin Resource Association (EBRA) will hold its annual membership meeting Saturday, January 15th, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Moriarty Civic Center. Refreshments will be provided, and door prizes will be available. The schedule includes:
- Chuck DuMars will speak on the subject of Water law concerning junior Water rights, irrigation wells, and domestic wells.
- David Lightfoot will give a presentation on monitoring taking place in the Manzano foothills.
- Find out about the results of the fires and thinning in the watershed.
- Election of new directors.
For more information, contact Art Swenka at 384-0176, Ted Barela at 705-5049, or Jace Alderson at 269-2658.
Press Release: Capulin Snow Play Area New Winter Hours
Editor’s note: We’ve received the following press release from Karen Takai at the USFWS Sandia Ranger District.
SANDIA RANGER DISTRICT
CAPULIN SNOW PLAY AREA NEW WINTER HOURS
Tijeras, NM, January 3, 2011
Starting January 3, 2011
Capulin Snow Play Area will be open for Friday, Saturday and Sundays Only
Hours of operation 9:30am to 3:30pm
Use of the area when closed will result in a fine ( see below)
Inclement weather or lack of snow may result in temporary closure
Please note: Sliding, sledding and tubing are PROHIBITED at Tree Springs, 10K and “Pit” areas
The Capulin Snow Play area is located approximately 8 miles up the Sandia Crest National Scenic Byway (Highway 536). A new Order # prohibits the use of the area when it is closed. Any violation of this prohibition is a punishable as a misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations or by imprisonment for not more than 6 months or both.
Christmas Lights Parade in Mountainair
by John Weckerle
Checking in on our friends at Mountainair Announcements, we find that there will be a Christmas Lights Parade this Sunday, December 19, at 6:30 p.m. For more information, see the Mountainair Announcements article.
Public Service Announcement/Press Release: Prescribed Burning To Continue on the Mountainair Ranger District
Mountainair, NM – November 30, 2010: With the shot of precipitation received on the Manzano’s this week, the Mountainair Ranger District will be planning to continue the East Thunderbird Prescribed Burn.
The burn will be in a forest area locally known as the Thunderbird area. This area was thinned within the Thunderbird Ecosystem Management area. The remaining portion to be burned is located on the south side of Forest Road #275. District Fire personnel are watching weather patterns closely and hope to re-enter this area the week of December 6-11 to finish burning approximately 70 acres. The burn will be conducted only if and when weather patterns and available fire personnel are conducive to burning and all fire management objectives can be met.
If you have questions regarding the planned prescribed burn or any other Mountainair Ranger District questions, please call 505-847-2990 or email Adrian Padilla at adrianpadilla@fs.fed.us or Arlene Perea at atperea@fs.fed.us.
Public Service Announcement/Press Release: Sandia Ranger District Implementing Pile Burn Near Cedro Lookout
Due to the location and elevation the burn will be visible from all directions leading into the East Mountain area
TIJERAS, NM, November 30, 2010 – Weather permitting Sandia Ranger District will be implementing a pile burn around Cedro Lookout. If weather and resources line up we will be starting the project December 7th and continue thru December 9th. The Cedro Lookout is located two miles south of I-40 and the Village of Tijeras. Due to the elevation the burn will be very visible from all directions. This project is being implemented to protect the lookout tower and facilities that are located on the administrative site.
The Cedro pile burn is a continuation of a fuels reduction program here on the Sandia Ranger District. There are approximately 10 acres and 400 piles to be treated. We expect the project to take two to three days.
The parameters for implementing a pile burn are based upon specific assessments, agency guidelines and safety protocols. During this burn, managers continuously monitor weather conditions, including wind, temperature, and relative humidity. Fuel conditions including fuel moisture and the quantity of fuels are also measured. Smoke will be visible and expected to have variable affects to neighboring communities.
We are working in cooperation with Bernalillo County Fire Departments and New Mexico State Forestry as contingency resources. For questions or concerns please contact the Sandia Ranger District 281-3304.