Mission of the S. B. W. F. A.
To develop professional and safe responses in the wildland environment by
offering training and education that meets the National Wildfire Coordinating
Group Standards.
The Academy
|
Ruidoso Convention Center |
Welcome to the Sierra Blanca Wildland Fire Academy. As fire-fighting
professionals, it is important that we fully understand the theories and
techniques of modern day wildland firefighting. The Academy's classes have been
designed to provide you with the information and knowledge to safely and
effectively fight the fire threats we see today. Our philosophy is that the more
professionally trained individuals we have, the better we can serve and protect
our communities.
The 2008 Sierra
Blanca Wildland Fire Academy will be held in Ruidoso, NM from February 4–8, at the Ruidoso Convention Center.
For a complete class schedule go
here.
|
The Lodge at Sierra Blanca |
The cost for the Academy is $35.00 per day ($175.00 for the entire 5 days)
if paid by Jan. 15 or $70.00 per day ($350.00 for 5 days) after the deadline. To make a payment online go
here.
Next to the Convention Center, special lodging rates are now available at
the Lodge at Sierra Blanca (formerly Hawthorn Suites). A Standard room is $69.00
plus tax and a Suite is $79.00 plus tax. A fresh hot American breakfast is
provided each morning. For this special rate the code is SBWFA. Visit
their website at
thelodgeatsierrablanca.com or call them at toll free 866-211-7727.
Ruidoso, New Mexico
Nestled in the mountains of the southern-most
Rockies, Ruidoso is a vibrant community with many things to see and do.
At an elevation of 7,000 feet, outdoor recreation is part of the over-all appeal
of the area. Much of the county, which is called Lincoln, is devoted to the one million acre Lincoln National
Forest, and nature is the primary passion of the forest’s many visitors. For the
avid angler, local streams and lakes are stocked at different times of the year
with rainbow trout.
Much of the mountain area is dotted with trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and
horseback riders. All of them are easily negotiated. Several stables provide
rental horses at hourly or daily rates and mountain bikes are available for
rent. Big game hunting opportunities abound, with deer, elk, bear and turkey
being the most sought-after game.
The 15,000 square foot Billy the Kid Casino, offers a lot of fun for your
money. The casino is located next door to Ruidoso Downs Race Track which offers
live quarter horse and thoroughbred horse racing from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
The Hubbard Museum of the American West houses an extensive permanent
collection and has an ever-changing schedule of shows and activities.
Featuring a magnificent collection of carriages, wagons, saddles, fine art and
Indian artifacts, the role of the horse in the American West is highlighted in
great detail.
Many of the area’s terrific attractions are found along the Billy the Kid
National Scenic Byway in what is called “Billy the Kid” country. This driving loop circles
through many of Lincoln County's communities, allowing
visitors the chance to see a wide range of local topography, attractions,
historic and artistic venues.
The old West is more than a distant memory for Lincoln County and the
surrounding area. Just down the valley from Ruidoso is the historic town of
Lincoln. During 1878 and 1879, the citizens of this town experienced a full
fledged war between two opposing merchants. Known as the Lincoln County War,
this hard fought conflict brought notoriety to a young gun slinger called Billy
the Kid. Today, old Lincoln, through careful preservation and restoration, has
emerged as a visible reminder of the past. Within the town’s limits are 11 state
monuments, including four museums. The museums pay tribute to the Lincoln County
War, Mescalero Apache Indians, the Buffalo Soldiers, and of course, Billy the
Kid.
After soaking up some history, you will be more than ready to soak up some sun
at one of the area’s three public golf courses. Ruidoso’s only municipal
facility, the Links at Sierra Blanca, is a world class, 18-hole course. The
Scottish style course is designed to be both challenging for the experienced
golfer and fun for the novice. Other notable area courses include Cree Meadows
Golf Course, the area’s oldest and most established course, and the nearby Inn of
the Mountain Gods Golf Course which winds around a man-made lake. An added
advantage of the courses in Ruidoso is that these courses are open year ‘round,
weather permitting.
Another attraction in the Ruidoso area is the spectacular Spencer Theater for
the Performing Arts. This state-of-the-art hall features world class performers
in a beautiful setting. Set high on a mesa just outside of Ruidoso, the
Spencer Theater hosts Broadway shows, dance troupes, and music from around the
world.
When the snow starts to fly, all thoughts turn to the ski slopes. Located 18
miles from town, Ski Apache boasts New Mexico’s largest lift capacity and runs
the state's only four passenger gondola. The ski season starts each
November on Thanksgiving Day and runs until early April (weather permitting).
Sierra Blanca peak has an
elevation of 12,003 feet and the ski summit is 11,500 feet. The base elevation
is 9,600 feet and the ski area features a vertical drop of 1,900 feet. With an
average annual snowfall in excess of 15 feet, Ski Apache provides some of the
best warm weather powder skiing and snowboarding in the world.
You’ll discover a variety of specialty shops and boutiques throughout Ruidoso
and Lincoln County. Handmade clothing and other handcrafted items from local
artisans are unique to the area.
Special events have always been part of Ruidoso’s year ‘round appeal. The
Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium, the nation’s premier cowboy gathering is held
every October. The Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium was named one of
the Top 100 Events in North America for 2001 by the American Bus Association.
The Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally brings over 20,000 motorcycle enthusiasts to
the area each September. Annual events like Mountain of Blues Festival; Art
Festival; All American Festival; Aspenfest; and Oktoberfest offer
visitors the chance to celebrate.
Within easy driving distance of Ruidoso are many spectacular attractions,
including Smokey Bear State Park, White Sands National Monument, the world’s
largest deposit of gypsum sand; the New Mexico Space Museum & Omnimax
Theater; Carlsbad Caverns, one of the world’s largest cave systems; Valley of
the Fires Recreation Area, one of the United States’ youngest lava flows; the
historic ghost town of White Oaks; Gran Quivira, the ruins of a seventeenth
century Franciscan church and Indian Pueblo; Three River Indian petroglyph site
and picnic area; and the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation. |
