Las Conchas Fire
Encyclopedia
The Las Conchas Fire was a 2011 wildfire
in New Mexico
, USA. The fire started in Santa Fe National Forest
and burned more than 150,000 acres, threatening Los Alamos National Laboratory
and the town of Los Alamos
. After five days of burning, it became the largest wildfire in New Mexico state history.
. The fire also burned south, threatening the town of Cochiti, New Mexico
. On June 28, this estimate was increased to nearly 61,000 acres. On June 29, it was reported that the fire was 3 percent contained, 12 miles southwest of Los Alamos, and had burned nearly 70000 acres (109.4 sq mi). By then the fire had pushed farther north into the land owned and held sacred by Santa Clara Pueblo. By June 30, the burned area had increased to over 103000 acres (160.9 sq mi), making it the largest fire in New Mexico history (the second largest is the 2003 Dry Lakes Fire, which burned over 94,000 acres). Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for Los Alamos
as of June 27, and Los Alamos National Laboratory
was closed to all non-essential personnel. The evacuation order was lifted on July 3, at which time Los Alamos residents were allowed to return to their homes. The Los Alamos National Laboratory re-opened on July 6. As of July 14, 2011, the fire was 57% contained.
16,000 acres of Santa Clara Pueblo burned in the fire, much of it in the pueblo's watershed. 45% of the watershed was burned, leading to fears of flooding. The pueblo is currently preparing for floods. Currently, much of the burned area is still at risk for potentially dangerous flash floods.
On June 27, the fire reached Los Alamos National Laboratory. Only a one acre spot fire burned on lab property before firefighters extinguished it. That was the only time the fire burned on lab property. Authorities reported that the fire did not threaten essential buildings. The fire was moving away from the plutonium
facilities and the lab property.
The fire was 100% contained on August 3 and efforts are now underway for recovery of the burned areas.
Wildfire
A wildfire is any uncontrolled fire in combustible vegetation that occurs in the countryside or a wilderness area. Other names such as brush fire, bushfire, forest fire, desert fire, grass fire, hill fire, squirrel fire, vegetation fire, veldfire, and wilkjjofire may be used to describe the same...
in New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, USA. The fire started in Santa Fe National Forest
Santa Fe National Forest
The Santa Fe National Forest is a protected national forest in northern New Mexico in the Southwestern United States. It was established in 1915 and covers 1,567,181 acres . Elevations range from 5,300 feet to 13,103 feet at the summit of Truchas Peak, located within the Pecos Wilderness...
and burned more than 150,000 acres, threatening Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos National Laboratory is a United States Department of Energy national laboratory, managed and operated by Los Alamos National Security , located in Los Alamos, New Mexico...
and the town of Los Alamos
Los Alamos, New Mexico
Los Alamos is a townsite and census-designated place in Los Alamos County, New Mexico, United States, built upon four mesas of the Pajarito Plateau and the adjoining White Rock Canyon. The population of the CDP was 12,019 at the 2010 Census. The townsite or "the hill" is one part of town while...
. After five days of burning, it became the largest wildfire in New Mexico state history.
Progression
The fire started on June 26, 2011, at approximately 1:00 pm Mountain Daylight Time when a tree fell on a power line. On the first day, the fire burned 43,000 acres, driven by strong and unpredictable winds. By the evening of the first day of the fire, no part was contained, according to local fire officials, and the county was put under voluntary evacuation. The fire burned over 61,000 acres by the end of the day on June 27, pushed north by winds into the Pajarito Mountain Ski AreaPajarito Mountain Ski Area
Pajarito Mountain Ski Area is located on the north face of Pajarito Mountain, one of the Jemez Mountains in north central New Mexico, west of Los Alamos. It is located on of privately owned land. The Los Alamos Ski Club , a non-profit organization, owns and operates Pajarito...
. The fire also burned south, threatening the town of Cochiti, New Mexico
Cochiti, New Mexico
Cochiti is a census-designated place in Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States. It is part of the Albuquerque Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 528 at the 2010 census....
. On June 28, this estimate was increased to nearly 61,000 acres. On June 29, it was reported that the fire was 3 percent contained, 12 miles southwest of Los Alamos, and had burned nearly 70000 acres (109.4 sq mi). By then the fire had pushed farther north into the land owned and held sacred by Santa Clara Pueblo. By June 30, the burned area had increased to over 103000 acres (160.9 sq mi), making it the largest fire in New Mexico history (the second largest is the 2003 Dry Lakes Fire, which burned over 94,000 acres). Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for Los Alamos
Los Alamos, New Mexico
Los Alamos is a townsite and census-designated place in Los Alamos County, New Mexico, United States, built upon four mesas of the Pajarito Plateau and the adjoining White Rock Canyon. The population of the CDP was 12,019 at the 2010 Census. The townsite or "the hill" is one part of town while...
as of June 27, and Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos National Laboratory is a United States Department of Energy national laboratory, managed and operated by Los Alamos National Security , located in Los Alamos, New Mexico...
was closed to all non-essential personnel. The evacuation order was lifted on July 3, at which time Los Alamos residents were allowed to return to their homes. The Los Alamos National Laboratory re-opened on July 6. As of July 14, 2011, the fire was 57% contained.
16,000 acres of Santa Clara Pueblo burned in the fire, much of it in the pueblo's watershed. 45% of the watershed was burned, leading to fears of flooding. The pueblo is currently preparing for floods. Currently, much of the burned area is still at risk for potentially dangerous flash floods.
On June 27, the fire reached Los Alamos National Laboratory. Only a one acre spot fire burned on lab property before firefighters extinguished it. That was the only time the fire burned on lab property. Authorities reported that the fire did not threaten essential buildings. The fire was moving away from the plutonium
Plutonium
Plutonium is a transuranic radioactive chemical element with the chemical symbol Pu and atomic number 94. It is an actinide metal of silvery-gray appearance that tarnishes when exposed to air, forming a dull coating when oxidized. The element normally exhibits six allotropes and four oxidation...
facilities and the lab property.
The fire was 100% contained on August 3 and efforts are now underway for recovery of the burned areas.
External links
- Las Conchas Fire, InciWeb Incident Information System
- Las Conchas Fire, New Mexico Fire Information