Fireworks in Bernalillo

The town of Bernalillo will present fireworks free of charge at the Bernalillo High School football stadium on Friday, June 30. The gates open at 7:00 p.m. and the fireworks start at dusk. For more information, call 867-3311.

Placitas Volunteer Fire Brigade debuts new engine

—EVIE BENNETT, MEMBER, PVFB
With the thirtieth annual Placitas Fourth of July Parade upon us, the Placitas Volunteer Fire Brigade is looking forward to the debut of the new Engine 4-1. The new engine was acquired recently after many years of saving state fire funds to purchase it. The engine has already served two structure fires in the Placitas area as well as the Bernalillo Jackalope fire.

After the July Fourth parade, the new engine, along with other PVFB vehicles and personnel, will be seen patrolling Placitas in an effort to keep this Fourth of July safe and happy for everyone.
Sandoval County has experienced some afternoon scattered showers, but most of the area is still extremely dry. The no-burn ordinance is still in effect and residents are reminded that no open burning, campfires, open cooking fires, or charcoal grills are permitted.

The Placitas Volunteer Fire Brigade is in the midst of our annual fund-raising drive. In May, we participated in the flea market at the Merc in Placitas. We'd like to thank those of you who stopped by, visited, bought things, and donated to our cause. In June, we were actively participated in the annual Placitas Appreciation Day festivities. We set out a drop tank and this “fishing hole” was a hit with the young and young at heart. The proceeds from the event were greatly appreciated, with all monies going directly to the local fire department.

The Placitas Fire Department’s annual donation drive takes place this month, with a mailed information brochure explaining who we are and what we do as volunteers in the community.

We not only welcome your donations but we are always looking for new volunteers. It is a wonderful way to serve your community and help your friends and neighbors during difficult times. Remember that all donations are tax-deductible and go directly toward helping the local fire organization better serve the community. While the Placitas Volunteer Fire Brigade is comprised of men and women donating their time and efforts, there are many expenses that come with running a fire department. The fire department needs community support, not only in donations but in keeping fire danger to a minimum. Let's all work to make this July fourth safe and fire-free.

Get ready for the (thirtieth) Placitas Fourth of July Parade

—ROY STREIT, MEMBER, PVFB
The thirtieth annual Placitas Fourth of July Parade will get underway at 11:00 a.m. at the entrance to Placitas Heights. This milestone parade is dedicated to the memory of Lou Stephens and Tom Threadgill.

In 1976, members of Los Caballeros del Monte, the local horse club, decided the bicentennial deserved a local celebration and parade. They gained support and participation from the Jardineros de Placitas, the Las Huertas Land Grant, Placitas Volunteer Fire Brigade, and kids on decorated bicycles to hold the first parade. Lou Stephens took on the responsibility of creating order out of the chaos of excited horses, impatient kiddos, and an unreliable fire truck, and starting the participants on the way.

Stephens organized the parade participants until the year before his death, when he passed the parade marshal’s sash to Jim Maduena. Founding fire-brigade chief Tom Threadgill organized his band of hippie firefighters to help in the celebration. As chief until 1988, Threadgill played a major role in establishing and growing the fire brigade into a volunteer fire department that has gained statewide respect.

This year’s parade begins forming up at 10:00 a.m. The siren will blast and the parade will begin at 11:00 a.m. Local service clubs, political candidates, businesses, and families are invited to participate.

Closure remains a possibility for Cibola National Forest

Cibola National Forest supervisor Nancy Rose reminded forest visitors on June 5 that many portions of the Cibola National Forest will remain in partial closure and that the Forest may possibly close completely in the coming months. “With the current hot and dry weather, fire danger remains extreme and warrants keeping a number of areas closed to visitors. Weather forecasters are predicting higher-than-normal temperatures with little precipitation expected.” Rose said.

We are now experiencing weather patterns in New Mexico where lightning has the potential of creating fires in areas that are not accessible. Both short and long term drought have created a situation that could be explosive with the right winds and ignition source.” Rose said. “If the current weather conditions continue the Cibola National Forest will restrict access in these areas until we receive substantial rains that will alleviate this situation.

For further information, contact:

Mountainair Ranger District, (505) 847-2990
Sandia Ranger District, (505) 281-3304
Mount Taylor Ranger District, (505) 287-8833
Magdalena Ranger District, (505) 854 2281
Additional fire information for the southwest area is available at www.nmfireinfo.com.