A Postcard From Hell

Last Sunday afternoon at about 1:00pm a tree fell onto a powerline in the Jemez Mountains. It sparked a fire which is now the largest wildfire in New Mexico history. Within less than 24 hours it had burned over 43,000 acres. Today its at 94,000 acres and only 3% contained.

The fire has burned beautiful mixed conifer and aspen forests, more than half of Bandelier National Monument, parts of the Valles Caldera National Preserve, 13 homes, several other structures, and forced the mandatory evacuation of the 18,000 residents of Los Alamos. Los Alamos National Laboratory is closed but currently does not appear the be threatened.

I cannot begin to tell you how heartbroken I am. These were "my" mountains. My sanctuary. My cathedral. Anyone who has been in the Jemez mountains will attest to their beauty and abundant wildlife. And now its black and dead.

I took this shot last night as I watched thunderheads tease us with virga as the fire moved into pristine, virgin, old-growth forests which are also sacred areas for the local Pueblos.

Please pray for rain!