Los Alamos Daily Digest Sunday, August 09, 2026
Ty's Take
The Frijoles Fire has doubled in size overnight, now sitting at a thousand acres with zero containment, and folks in Cundiyo and Cerro Piño are getting evacuation notices pushed to their phones. We've been here before, twice in the last generation, and this plateau never quite forgets what fire looks like. The county fair parade rolled through town last week, kids on floats and horses in the sun, the kind of August afternoon that makes you think everything's stable and predictable. Then a fire starts climbing the ridge and you remember how thin that peace really is, how fast things change when the monsoon doesn't come and the wind picks up. So this is where we are again: watching the ridgeline, checking the air quality index, keeping an eye on neighbors who might need help getting out.
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Los Alamos Daily Post
New Mexico Delegation Requests Answers On DoD’s Involvement In Medical Plane Crash In Lincoln County
New Mexico's congressional delegation, led by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján along with representatives Teresa Leger Fernández, Melanie Stansbury, and Gabe Vasquez, has demanded answers from the Department of Defense regarding its involvement in a medical plane crash that occurred...
Scenes At Ashley Pond Park As Evening Begins To Fall
Ashley Pond Park in Los Alamos hosted evening activities as the summer season continued, with a summer concert drawing community members to the scenic location as daylight faded.
Obituary: Richard Chesteen Thomas March 27, 1935 – July 23, 2026
Richard Chesteen Thomas, known to family and friends as Dick or Dickie, passed away on July 23, 2026, at age 91. Born in a Pennsylvania college town in 1935, Thomas had a remarkable life that took him from farm work in Mississippi and Texas to careers in athletics and the space industry.
Scenes From 2026 Los Alamos County Fair & Rodeo Parade
The 2026 Los Alamos County Fair and Rodeo Parade proceeded along Central Avenue with community groups and participants, including the Los Alamos High School NJROTC presenting the colors and 2026 Rodeo Queen Jewel Jaramillo participating in the festivities.
New Mexico Environment Department Seeks Public Input On Future Of PFAS Protections For Consumers
The New Mexico Environment Department will host a public webinar in August to gather input on the state's review of the PFAS Protection Act, which regulates per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in consumer products. The review was requested through House Joint Memorial 3, passed during the 2026...
Frijoles Fire Grows To 500 Acres & Remains 0% Contained
The Frijoles Fire in the Española Ranger District has grown to 500 acres with zero percent containment as of the latest report. Firefighters have secured UTV access and are constructing containment lines north of Frijoles Canyon with bulldozer support while hotshots build lines to the west and...
Obituary: Guadalupe O. Florez July 9, 1934 – July 29, 2026
Guadalupe O. Florez, 92, of Midland, Texas, passed away on July 29, 2026, surrounded by her family. Born in Lake Arthur, New Mexico, Florez is survived by three daughters, including Celina Alaniz of Los Alamos, New Mexico, and multiple siblings from across New Mexico and Texas.
Snake Wrangler Rescues Mating Pair Of Prairie Rattlesnakes
Los Alamos snake wrangler Annette Hiteman rescued a mating pair of prairie rattlesnakes on Yucca Street Friday, marking her 49th rescue call of the season. Hiteman noted the unusually high number of calls compared to the typical 36 she receives annually, which she attributes to drought conditions...
County Line Crew Responds To Quemazon Power Outage
A Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities line crew began work at 12:30 a.m. to restore power to approximately 128 customers affected by outages in the Quemazon area and around 9th Street. The cause of the outage remains unknown with no estimated restoration time provided.
FOSCA Seeks Photo Entries For 2027 Pet Rescue Calendar
Friends of Shelter and Companion Animals (FOSCA) is accepting photo entries through September 4, 2026, for the 2027 Pet Rescue Calendar. Community members are encouraged to submit photos and stories of rescue animals to help create the annual calendar.
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Los Alamos Reporter
NMED: Public Input Sought On Future PFAS Protections For Consumers During Public Webinar
The New Mexico Environment Department will conduct a public webinar in August to explain how residents can participate in the state's review of the PFAS Protection Act. The review follows House Joint Memorial 3, passed during the 2026 legislative session, which requested examination of how the law...
SFNF: Evening Update For Frijoles Fire Aug. 8 – Now At 1000 Acres, Zero Percent Containment
The Frijoles Fire in the Española Ranger District near Sierra Mosca and Cundiyo has grown to 1,000 acres with zero percent containment as of August 8, 2026. The lightning-caused fire, burning in steep terrain and dense ponderosa timber with extensive dead and down fuel, is being fought with full...
Cooperative Extension Office Announces 2026 Los Alamos County Fair Indoor Exhibit Award Winners
The Los Alamos County Cooperative Extension Office announced award winners for the 2026 Los Alamos County Fair indoor exhibits, with displays showcased at Mesa Public Library in Los Alamos. The awards recognized excellence in horticulture, crafts, and other categories with a Best of the Best...
Santa Fe County has elevated the evacuation status to READY for the communities of Cundiyo and Cerro Piñon due to increased activity on the Frijoles Fire. New Mexico 503 remains closed between County Road 98 and State Road 76 except for local and emergency traffic.
Obituary: Betty Jane Murphy December 31, 1938 – August 1, 2026
Betty Jane Murphy, born December 31, 1938, passed away peacefully on August 1, 2026, surrounded by her husband, daughter, and grandchildren. Raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the era of steel mills, Murphy later built a life filled with family and community.
SFNF: Frijoles Fire Daily Update Aug. 8, 2026
The Frijoles Fire in the Española Ranger District near Sierra Mosca and Cundiyo has burned approximately 500 acres with zero percent containment as of August 8, 2026. The lightning-caused fire started August 4 and has required 68 personnel to combat the blaze in steep terrain with dense ponderosa...
DPU: Line Crew Responding To Quemazon Power Outage Affecting 128 Customers Saturday Morning
A Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities line crew has been working since 12:30 a.m. to restore power to approximately 128 customers affected by outages in the Quemazon area and around 9th Street. Crews will move to the 9th Street area after restoring power to Quemazon, with no estimated...
Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser To Assist Community Member In Need Set For Sunday
A cornhole tournament fundraiser is scheduled for Sunday to assist a community member in need, with the event providing an opportunity for residents to support a fellow community member through participation and donations.
Stroll The Stable: Sunday, Aug. 9 From 9 a.m. To Noon
Stroll the Stable is scheduled for Sunday, August 9, from 9 a.m. to noon, offering community members a chance to visit and enjoy local equestrian facilities.
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