Los Alamos Daily Digest Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Ty's Take
Fire season is here, and it's running the show again. Multiple lightning strikes across the Pajarito plateau this week, crews scrambling up the mountain, the Frijoles fire already pushing toward thirteen thousand acres up in the national forest. For anyone who was here in 2000 or watched the Las Conchas burn in 2011, that number hits different. The real news isn't just the acreage or the containment percentages you'll see in the updates, it's that we're back to August again, looking at the sky, checking wind speeds, and knowing that one dry lightning storm can change everything. Schools are opening, people are settling in for the new year, and somewhere on the ridge above town, fire crews are working in the heat.
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Los Alamos Daily Post
This Week In Sports: Aug. 20 – Aug. 22
Los Alamos High School Hilltoppers have a busy athletic week ahead, with volleyball matches against Pojoaque and McCurdy, a home football game against Española, and girls soccer competing at the APS Soccer Complex in Eldorado. Events are scheduled from August 20 through August 22.
Pets Of The Week: Meet Blossom And Echo
Blossom, a sweet kitten, and Echo, a 2-year-old Bulldog, are available for adoption at Española Humane. The shelter welcomes walk-in adopters Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 108 Hamm Parkway in Española.
Op-Ed: Before They Came To Our Kitchens … Rethinking How Los Alamos Coexists With Its Wild Neighbors
Los Alamos is experiencing a significant bear problem, with county officials logging 72 nuisance-bear calls in the first half of the year and multiple home break-ins reported in the Western Area and Quemazon. An op-ed suggests the community needs to rethink how it coexists with its wild neighbors.
Lightning from a recent rainstorm ignited four small fires on dead trees across Pajarito Mountain and in Bandelier National Monument. Los Alamos Fire Department crews responded to extinguish three single-tree fires in the Camp May and American Springs areas.
Elk’s Lodge Holds Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser Aug. 23
The Elk's Lodge in Los Alamos is hosting a cornhole tournament fundraiser on August 23.
Los Alamos Community Foundation Hires Kelle Harrison As Anchorum Fellow Grants Manager
The Los Alamos Community Foundation has hired Kelle Harrison as its Anchorum Fellow Grants Manager. A Los Alamos native and high school alumna, Harrison will assess community health and wellness needs and collaborate with local organizations and foundations to address them.
LAPS Welcomes Students Back To School For 2026-27 Year
Los Alamos Public Schools welcomed over 3,200 students for the 2026-2027 school year, with an additional 187 preschoolers starting later. Elementary students in White Rock got to explore new playground equipment at the recently opened Chamisa and Piñon Elementary schools.
Los Alamos Community Winds Announce 2026 Scholarships
The Los Alamos Community Winds has awarded three scholarships to graduating high school seniors who demonstrate commitment to continuing instrumental music. The scholarships recognize students for their musical participation, leadership, and accomplishment.
U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez cosponsored the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act of 2026 on August 17 to support New Mexico's downwinder communities affected by the Trinity Site nuclear test in July 1945. The act aims to ensure the federal government takes responsibility for the...
LANL Foundation: Coming Together For Our Northern New Mexico Neighbors
The LANL Foundation and Thornburg Foundation each contributed $10,000 to the Frijoles Fire 2026 Fund through the Santa Fe Community Foundation to assist Northern New Mexico residents impacted by the ongoing Frijoles Canyon Fire. The fund provides flexible support to individuals, families, and local...
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Los Alamos Reporter
Judge Tightens House Arrest Conditions For Timothy Pacheco Following Probation Violation Hearing
First Judicial District Judge Anastasia Martin tightened house arrest conditions for Timothy Pacheco after finding clear and convincing evidence of a willful violation when he visited the Motor Vehicles Department without pretrial service permission. The probation violation hearing was held on July...
SFNF: Frijoles Fire Evening Update Tuesday, Aug. 18 – 12,887 Acres, 13% Contained, 780 Personnel
The Frijoles Fire in the Pecos Wilderness had burned 12,887 acres with 13 percent containment as of Tuesday evening, August 18, according to Santa Fe National Forest officials. The lightning-caused fire began August 4 and required 780 personnel to combat active flames amid challenging vegetation...
Los Alamos County: Fire Crews Have Responded To Multiple Lightning-Strike Fires Reports
Recent lightning strikes ignited four separate small fires across dead trees on Pajarito Mountain and at Bandelier National Monument in Los Alamos County. Fire crews worked to extinguish three single-tree fires burning in the Camp May and American Springs areas.
County: Utility Bills Arriving In Mailboxes
Los Alamos County residents received their first utility bills under the new residential Time of Use and Demand electric rate structure on Tuesday, August 18. The Department of Public Utilities delayed the initial mailing due to billing software difficulties.
Boys And Girls In Grades K-5 Invited To Join Cub Scout Pack 22
Cub Scout Pack 22 is inviting boys and girls in grades K-5 to join, with a Welcome Picnic scheduled for Monday, August 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. at North Mesa Picnic Grounds. The first den meeting will be held on August 31.
Los Alamos Police Department Youth Cadet Program Restarts Sept. 23
The Los Alamos Police Department Youth Cadet Program is restarting September 23 for high school freshmen through seniors. Meetings will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month from September through April.
LTE: In Response To James Wernicke’s Comments On County Boards And Commissions
A White Rock resident responds to concerns about filling county boards and commissions, arguing that proposed Charter amendments would help improve citizen participation in local government.
LTE: Why Is Los Alamos Struggling To Fill Boards?
A Los Alamos resident questions why the county is struggling to fill boards and commissions ahead of a Los Alamos County Council work session scheduled for Tuesday evening, August 18, at the White Rock Fire Station. The council plans to ask voters to amend the County Charter regarding board...
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