New Mexico

Damage estimates climb from massive New Mexico wildfire

Published

2 years ago

June 8, 2022

Damage estimates climb from massive New Mexico wildfire

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The destruction brought on by the biggest wildfire burning within the U.S. has been devastating for 1000’s of residents and their lives have been perpetually disrupted and altered, New Mexico’s governor mentioned Tuesday after touring the injury in a single county.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham met with householders and native officers whereas surveying houses in two of the numerous small northern New Mexico villages that have been overcome by flames in the course of the previous a number of weeks after two deliberate authorities operations meant to filter overgrown areas of the forest went awry.

The primary-term Democrat is getting ready for a go to Saturday with President Joe Biden, who’s scheduled to make a fast cease in New Mexico to be briefed on the wildfires and the restoration efforts.

The most important blaze has charred near 500 sq. miles (1,295 sq. kilometers) within the Sangre de Cristo mountain vary, which sits on the southern fringe of the Rocky Mountains. A lot criticism has been levied by residents all through the agricultural space due to the federal authorities’s position in inflicting the fireplace.

The governor’s workplace confirmed Tuesday that a number of hundred houses are estimated to have been destroyed by the fireplace. That quantity will seemingly enhance as inspections and documentation is ongoing.

“I noticed firsthand the irrevocable hurt that has been induced, with historic houses and livelihoods misplaced to the flames,” the governor mentioned in a press release following her tour. “However I used to be additionally reminded of New Mexicans’ resiliency — I noticed neighbors serving to neighbors with that very same compassion that New Mexicans at all times present towards each other in robust occasions.”

The governor additionally heard about the place restoration support has been useful and the place gaps stay.

Lujan Grisham and different high elected officers have referred to as for the federal authorities to cowl 100% of restoration prices. Some even have requested for an unbiased investigation of the U.S. Forest Service’s prescribed hearth protocols despite the fact that the company has put a maintain on such operations pending its personal inquiry.

Whereas New Mexico has felt the brunt of the fireplace season up to now this 12 months, a lot of the West has marked notably sizzling, dry and windy situations. Predictions for the remainder of the season don’t bode effectively, with drought and hotter climate introduced on by local weather change worsen hearth hazard in overgrown forests across the area.

The Nationwide Interagency Fireplace Heart reported Tuesday that 1000’s of wildland firefighters have been working towards containment of eight giant fires which have burned greater than 1,130 sq. miles (2,927 sq. kilometers). 5 of these fires are in New Mexico, whereas Alaska, Arizona and Colorado every have one.

In Alaska, crews have been working to guard a number of constructions from a fireplace burning west of Talkeetna.

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New Mexico

Los Poblanos hotel receives 2 Michelin keys

Published

4 hours ago

September 27, 2024

Press Room

Los Poblanos hotel receives 2 Michelin keys

While many New Mexicans already know about Los Poblanos, the 25-acre inn with gardens, fields and farming is finally giving New Mexico some national recognition.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – While many New Mexicans already know about Los Poblanos, the 25-acre inn with gardens, fields and farming is finally giving New Mexico some national recognition.

“They spent the last four years compiling information on the best hotels in the United States and came up with a new concept on Michelin keys,” said Matthew Rembe, an executive director of Los Poblanos.

Los Poblanos was just named a Michelin two key hotel. It’s a recognition that Rembe never expected.

“We are a unique experience, and we were happy that New Mexico was recognized. Sometimes New Mexico is overlooked in things like this. We are happy for New Mexico, and we were certainly humbled, so it is exciting,” said Rembe.

Each place is judged on five categories: Architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, overall character, value for the price and guest experience.

“New Mexico has the oldest architecture in the United States and Los Poblanos has a couple of different examples of important architecture, kind of agricultural old dairy buildings. The other is territory revival by John Gaw Meem and that is what sets up apart from other states, that New Mexican-style of architecture,” Rembe said.

This is only the second time the Michelin guide has announced Michelin key hotels.

Rembe hopes it gives people the opportunity to visit the Land of Enchantment and see everything that New Mexico has to offer.

“They can disconnect from their phones and technology and just kind of chill and relax and take in New Mexican culture. It always brings people back, I think New Mexico always exceeds their expectations because they have certain ideas on what the experience is going to be like,” said Rembe.

Los Poblanos got two keys, but there was another inn that got one key in New Mexico. That’s the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi in Santa Fe.

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New Mexico

Student podcast focuses on gun violence in Albuquerque

Published

12 hours ago

September 27, 2024

Press Room

Student podcast focuses on gun violence in Albuquerque

We’ve seen school threats cause lockdowns at campuses surrounded by police, and a handful of students are facing charges. That includes three metro teens accused of bringing guns on campus.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – We’ve seen school threats cause lockdowns at campuses surrounded by police, and a handful of students are facing charges. That includes three metro teens accused of bringing guns on campus.

Now, a group of teens is more than ready to have very grown-up conversations.

“It’s a really amazing way to help us spread awareness on how many youths and how many of us have been killed throughout our state and everywhere around the world,” said Briana Salazar, a college freshman.

Kaery Camacho and Salazar are just two of about 20 New Mexico students launching a new podcast series called “Aimed At Us.”

“Having experienced it, you always now have in mind in the back of your head, what if it will happen again?” said Salazar.

Before Salazar started college, she had already experienced a school shooting.

“There was two male students, and they had a confrontation with each other, and one of the male students pulled out his gun and unfortunately killed the other student, and it was right in front of our school,” Salazar said.

Camacho argues even if students haven’t gone through a shooting, many of them live with that potential fear.

“You’re not even safe at your school anymore,” Camacho said.

They both believe this podcast will give them and other students the chance to finally share their thoughts, worries, and ideas on what has become a continuous problem in New Mexico.

“They don’t want to listen to us, you know, like we’re the ones who are getting affected the most. We should be able to speak our truths,” said Camacho.

They plan on tackling all angles of the teen gun violence epidemic, speaking to people connected to both sides of the trigger.

“We are interviewing people who have been affected with gun violence, or people who have done gun violence, and see how that changed their lives and affected it, and how they’re doing better in their lives,” Camacho said.

New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence is backing the effort and paying the students on the podcast.

“They’re deciding who they want to interview. So it’s not us. We’re just kind of helping in the background,” said Miranda Viscoli, co-president of New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence.

Viscoli says she hopes the podcast provides an outlet for New Mexico students who are on the frontlines of this state and national debate.

“Hear what these youth are going through, what these youth want to see changed, because they have real ideas. They have good ideas. and they’re extremely intelligent,” said Viscoli.

The podcast is supposed to launch in November. if you are a student who would like to be part of it, or know of one, just fill out the contact form on the New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence website.

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