Latir Volunteer Fire Department

10/13/2026

Hands-on Training Keeps Volunteer Fire Departments Strong.

For three intense days each September, recruits from across Northern New Mexico gather in the Enchanted Circle to take on a unique challenge: learning the essential, hands-on skills of firefighting with zero classroom theory.

The annual Enchanted Circle Regional Fire Mini Academy, hosted by the Enchanted Circle Regional Fire Protection Association, offers critical Fire 1 and Fire 2 training designed to turn new recruits into fully functioning firefighters in a single weekend. By eliminating prolonged classroom lectures, the academy allows volunteers to gain practical experience fighting fires, operating water apparatus, and managing emergency scenes without taking extensive time off work.

MORE: https://questanews.com/hands-on-training-keeps-volunteer-fire-departments-strong/

10/11/2026

Latir VFD and Cerro Fire Department have merged to form a new fire district in Taos County.

Fire District 2 (D2, as we affectionately call ourselves) serves both of the former fire districts for fire, rescue, and emergency medical services (EMS), and continues to emphasize community-based care. D2 also provides automatic aid to Questa, and mutual aid to District 1 (Costilla-Amalia), District 3 (Lama-San Cristobal), and Red River.

Our volunteers have been busy working on this merger over the last year—getting to better know each other, learning about new trucks and apparatus, working on station renovations, and building bridges across the communities of Cerro, Pinabete, Sunshine Valley, El Rito, Latir, Urraca, and Buena Vista.

Come join us! Get to know your local firefighters and first responders, and consider joining or supporting our team.

Facing a nationwide decline in volunteerism, Taos County Fire and Rescue has restructured its rural emergency services, consolidating several neighboring

09/23/2026

07/01/2026

We know it’s disappointing for some around the Fourth celebrations, but please do your part to help protect our communities and our firefighters! A reminder that campfires and fireworks are prohibited. Thank you!

The New Mexico state forestry division implemented fire restrictions back in April. These restrictions are applicable to all private lands within the state, including Taos County. Visit the site below for details on the restrictions that are in place

https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/find-current-fire-restrictions/

07/01/2026

04/22/2026

Fire restrictions to begin April 24!!

Recent storms have kept conditions at bay, but the time has come when extra precautions are needed.

What will be prohibited:

Campfires
Smoking

There are some limited exemptions, including campfires inside a fire structure that is provided by the Forest Service within developed recreation sites.

A full list of exemptions are listed in the forest order on our fire restrictions and prohibitions webpage at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/carson/alerts/current-fire-restrictions-and-related-prohibitions.

04/06/2026

For immediate release: State forester enacts statewide fire restrictions
Smoking, fireworks, campfires, open burning, gas flares are prohibited
___

Amid unseasonably hot weather and dry fuel conditions, the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Forestry Division is enacting statewide fire restrictions in New Mexico to reduce the risk of wildfire starts.

These restrictions respond to persistent dry and warm conditions across the state: conditions heightened by low humidity, high winds and abundant dry fuels across our forests and grasslands.

The level of wildfire danger poses a threat to public safety, life, property and natural resources across New Mexico.

The state forester has placed the following restrictions – to remain in effect until rescinded – on non-municipal, non-federal and non-Tribal lands statewide:

→ Smoking
→ Fireworks
→ Campfires
→ Prescribed, open, agricultural and/or debris burning
→ Flaring of gas related to oil and gas production

Exceptions:

→ Exceptions are allowed for certain prohibited actions in specific cases or when specific conditions are met.
→ The state forester may allow additional exceptions upon receiving a written request.

“We’re already in a particularly high-risk period for above average fire potential, which is not expected to let up anytime soon,” said State Forester Laura McCarthy. “Our current conditions are highly conducive to fires starting and spreading quickly. These restrictions are necessary to reduce that risk for the duration of this particularly hot, dry wildfire season.”

“Fire restrictions are about individual actions that protect our communities as a whole,” said EMNRD Acting Secretary Erin Taylor. “Nine out of 10 wildfires in the state are caused by humans, which means 9 out of 10 wildfires can be prevented. We’re asking that every resident and every visitor take extra precautions during a particularly risky wildfire season.”

For detailed descriptions of restrictions and for the full list of restrictions and exceptions, visit emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/find-current-fire-restrictions

Full release at emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/forestry-news