Los Alamos Daily Digest Thursday, August 13, 2026
Ty's Take
The Frijoles Fire sitting at nearly 8,000 acres and zero containment is the kind of number that makes every long-timer on this plateau stop and look at the scars from Cerro Grande and Las Conchas all over again. We've been lucky this summer, relatively speaking, but luck doesn't fight fire when the monsoon storms bring lightning instead of rain, and that spectacular show from White Rock looking south a few days back was beautiful until you remembered what those strikes can do. The Forest Service shuffle to consolidate fire and aviation authority under a new deputy chief is the kind of bureaucratic move that sounds distant until you're watching the smoke roll in, and then you hope somebody somewhere knew what they were doing when they moved the pieces around. August on the Pajarito Plateau isn't the month to let our guard down.
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Los Alamos Daily Post
2026 Hilltopper Run Takes Off Sunday Aug. 16!
The Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation's 2026 Hilltopper Run will take place Sunday, Aug. 16, featuring a 5 Mile Run, 5K Run, and Kids 1 Mile Run. All races begin at the west end of Canyon Rim Trail and finish at Smith's Marketplace at 751 Trinity Drive, with registration still open and race-day...
The Los Alamos County community is invited to meet new County Economic Development Administrator Max Khudiakov at a business meet and greet from 4:30 to 6 PM Thursday at SALA.
The U.S. Forest Service consolidated all national fire and aviation management authorities under a single deputy chief position to improve operational efficiency and clarify reporting structures across the agency. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz delegated the consolidated authorities to Sarah...
Harms And Romero Tie For Best Predictors In ACRR’s Weekly Pace Race Held At Perimeter Trail
Madeline Harms and Ted Romero tied for the top prediction award in the Atomic City Road Runners' weekly pace race held on the Perimeter Trail at the end of Range Road, finishing just 7 seconds off their predicted time. Other strong performers included Edith Acosta at 14 seconds off and 3-year-old...
New Mexico State Fair And Boxing Bear Brewing Announce Official Beer Of 2026 State Fair
The New Mexico State Fair and Boxing Bear Brewing unveiled Centennial Lager as the official beer of the 2026 State Fair, selecting the locally brewed pilsner for its smooth malt profile and refreshing taste. Fair general manager Dan Mourning praised the family-owned brewery's partnership with the...
Temporary Parking Lot Closures At Betty Ehart Senior Center Due To Construction Activities
The Betty Ehart Senior Center's upper and lower parking lots at 1101 Bathtub Row will close starting Aug. 24, 2026, for approximately eight months to accommodate an HVAC replacement project. The county apologizes for the inconvenience to patrons during the construction period.
Luján Appointed To Institute Of American Indian Arts Board
U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján was appointed to the Board of the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. Luján, a longtime representative for the Santa Fe area, said he was honored to accept the leadership position on the important board.
Frijoles Fire Grows To 7,794 Acres, Remains 0% Contained
The Frijoles Fire has grown to 7,794 acres and remains 0 percent contained as of the latest update, burning in steep terrain 5 miles west of Sierra Mosca and 2 miles southeast of Cundiyo in the Espanola Ranger District. Firefighters and a Santa Fe County structure protection task force continue...
Haaland’s Vision For New Mexico ‘Comes From Tradition’
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Deb Haaland was featured in High Country News discussing her vision for New Mexico rooted in her Pueblo heritage and commitment to tribal sovereignty. The article highlights Haaland's role as the frontrunner in the race and how her family's resilience shapes her...
LAPD To Host Special Olympics Golf Tournament Sept. 11
The Los Alamos Police Department will host the 2026 Special Olympics Golf Tournament on Sept. 11, bringing together golfers and local businesses to support Special Olympics. The tournament will offer a 2026 Polaris Sportsman 570 as a hole-in-one grand prize, along with additional prizes, auction...
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Los Alamos Reporter
Rio Arriba 4-H Food Challenge Seeks Contestants
Rio Arriba 4-H is seeking contestants for its upcoming Food Challenge competition.
Students in Dr. Brent Collom's Advanced Engineering Design class at Los Alamos Middle School built 16 wheelchair ramps for the nonprofit Mesa-To-Mesa during the final two weeks of the school year. The hands-on project gave students practical engineering experience while supporting community members...
LAPD’s Law Enforcement Torch Run Golf Tournament Is Friday, Sept. 11
The Los Alamos Police Department will host the 2026 Special Olympics Golf Tournament on Friday, Sept. 11, bringing together golfers, community members, and local businesses to support Special Olympics. The event features a 2026 Polaris Sportsman 570 as the grand prize for a hole-in-one and includes...
First Born Offers 8-Week Circle Of Security Parenting Class Beginning Sept. 12
First Born is offering an 8-week Circle of Security parenting class beginning Sept. 12 for families in the community.
Community members and local businesses are invited to meet County Economic Development Administrator Max Khudiakov at a business meet and greet on Thursday, Aug. 13.
Spectacular Lightning Strikes As Seen From White Rock Looking South Towards Madrid
Recent thunderstorms produced spectacular lightning displays visible from White Rock looking south towards Madrid, captured by photographer Jaydon Weiss.
County: Temporary Parking Lot Closures At Betty Ehart Senior Center Due To Construction Activities
The Betty Ehart Senior Center Facility at 1101 Bathtub Row will have its upper and lower parking lots closed to the public starting Aug. 24, 2026, for approximately eight months to allow for HVAC replacement construction work.
SFNF: Morning Update For Frijoles Fire Aug. 12, 2026, 7,794 Acres Burned, 0% Containment
The Frijoles Fire has burned 7,794 acres in steep terrain 5 miles west of Sierra Mosca and 2 miles southeast of Cundiyo with 0 percent containment as of Aug. 12, 2026. The lightning-caused fire began Aug. 4 in the Espanola Ranger District within the Pecos Wilderness Area boundaries.
Madeline Harms And Ted Romero Tie For Top Predictor In Aug. 11 Atomic City Road Race
Madeline Harms and Ted Romero tied for top predictor honors in the Atomic City Road Runners' Aug. 11 weekly pace race held on the Perimeter Trail at the end of Range Road, finishing just 7 seconds off their predicted times. The achievement recognized their ability to accurately predict their race...
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