Los Alamos Fire Department Hosts Free Wildfire Day Event April 4
A zero-star winter has raised fire risk on the Pajarito Plateau. LAFD's free April 4 Wildfire Day is the place to harden homes, plan evacuations, and enroll in the county's new alert system.
The Los Alamos Fire Department is bringing wildfire preparedness to Ashley Pond Park on April 4, and conditions this season have sharpened the event's urgency. A zero-star winter has set the American West up for an active fire season, and the Pajarito Plateau offers no buffer between Los Alamos neighborhoods and the surrounding wildland.
Wildfire Day 2026 runs free from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ashley Pond Park, at Central Avenue and 20th in downtown Los Alamos. LAFD is hosting in partnership with Los Alamos County, the Los Alamos Police Department, Classic Air Medical, the Elks, and Freedom Church.
Organizers have laid out three explicit household priorities for the day: learn how to harden your property against ignition, build an evacuation plan, and enroll in emergency alerts. That third step carries new urgency this month. Los Alamos County recently replaced its CodeRED notification system with Everbridge, and residents who have not yet re-registered can do so at the event or in advance by texting "LOSALAMOS" to 888777.
The fire department has been building toward this season since February. LAFD ran a water-shuttle training exercise on Feb. 23 between the Aquatic Center and the Golf Course, simulating the supply operations critical to fighting interface fires in the county's canyon terrain. The department is also offering free home assessments, with inspectors providing site-specific guidance on reducing fuel loads around structures.
At Ashley Pond, attendees can explore LAFD and LAPD emergency vehicles, get a close look at a Classic Air Medical helicopter on display, and receive a bicycle-helmet fitting. On-site materials from the Ready, Set, Go! program and Fire Adapted Communities will help translate preparedness concepts into specific household actions. Smokey Bear, Sparky the Fire Dog, Penny the Preparedness Pup, and the Easter Bunny will be on hand for families throughout the event.
The Elks Annual Easter Egg Hunt begins at 11 a.m. Bouncy houses sponsored by Freedom Church will run alongside it for children.
Central Avenue between Oppenheimer Drive and 15th Street will be closed from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. for safety and logistics.
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