SANTA FE, N.M. – The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and New Mexico Historic Sites would like to thank all the agencies involved who this past weekend rushed to the scene of a fire that broke out just south of the Los Luceros Historic Site in Alcalde.
As of Tuesday, the fire was completely contained and the historic site was no longer in danger. State Forestry officials are still investigating the cause of the fire and where it started, as well as determining the size of the blaze.
Los Luceros Site Manager Ethan Ortega first noticed smoke on the property of a neighboring farm while walking along the Rio Grande adjacent to the grounds of the historic site on Saturday afternoon, and called 9-1-1.
Later, with assistance from the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, Ortega was able to safely relocate the historic site’s animals and artifacts to temporary off-site locations while emergency services dealt with the fire.
Emergency services involved include Rio Arriba County Fire & Emergency Services, Abiquiu Volunteer Fire Department, Agua Sana Volunteer Fire Department, Alcalde Volunteer Fire Department, Chamita Volunteer Fire Department, Dixon Volunteer Fire Department, El Rito Volunteer Fire Department, La Mesilla Volunteer Fire Department, Vallecitos Volunteer Fire Department, Ohkay Owingeh Fire Department, Ojo Caliente Volunteer Fire Department, Truchas Volunteer Fire Department, Ojo Sarco Volunteer Fire Department, Velarde Volunteer Fire Department, Espanola Fire Department, Santa Fe County Fire Department, Taos and Santa Fe Interagency Dispatch centers, New Mexico State Forestry Division – Chama District, and the Returning Heroes Wildland Firefighter Program.
“I join Governor Lujan Grisham and the Department of Cultural Affairs in thanking the first responders for their work on the Los Luceros Fire,” said state Rep. Joseph Sanchez of Alcalde, whose district includes the Los Luceros Historic Site. “Their quick action helped to save and preserve a true Northern New Mexico treasure. Our community is thankful to have courageous men and women who risk their personal safety to do such a difficult job.”
About the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs
Created in 1978 by the New Mexico Legislature, the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) is New Mexico’s cultural steward, charged with preserving and showcasing the state’s cultural riches. With its eight museums, seven historic sites, arts, archaeology, historic preservation, and library programs, the DCA is one of the largest and most diverse state cultural agencies in the nation. Together, the facilities, programs, and services of the Department support a $5.6 billion cultural industry in New Mexico.
Events, news releases, and images related to activities in divisions of the DCA can be accessed at media.newmexicoculture.org.
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