I don't usually post on the regional site but I had, until things got crazy (even before the fire), been posting on the main NPN site (mostly in Fauna and avian). I work at Bandelier NM and thought I could offer an update on Bandelier conditions at this time.
The fire which started on on Sunday afternoon has now been reported to have reached over 70,000 acres. As much as 50% of Bandelier has been blackened, all in wilderness areas. A back burn was initiated above Alcove House (formerly Ceremonial Cave) an Ancestral Pueblo housing site perched 140 feet up on the cliff face. At this time, that backburn and other burn out on the rims of Frijoles Canyon have kept the fire out of the main visitor area including the Main Loop trail where most visitors go and the historic building complex, built by the CCC, that includes the visitor center. Numerous trees in the historic area were cut down as the fire approached this area so even though not burned it will look much different. The rest of the park and other surrounding areas have not fared as well. Upper Frijoles Canyon and Upper Alamo Canyon burned at high intesity. Beautiful and unique flowers grew in the shade of the trees up there. Jemez Mnt Salamanders (a very endangered species) were found there. I am told this is now a just a blackened moonscape. It will be years before we know the total impacts to the natural landscape there. In terms of human impact many fewer houses have been lost in this fire (none in Los Alamos proper at this time) than in the Cerro Grande fire 11 years ago. I lost my house in that one so I can speak first hand of how devastating it is for even one family to lose their home. Several people I work with escaped with very little as the fire flared across the Dome Road, a rural mountain area with scatter homes just north and west of the park. Their homes are gone. Hopefully this fire will be stopped before too much more devastation is done and without any loss of human life. There was a young black bear cub that was making appearances in the area near the Bandelier visitor center in the days before the fire. I had been hoping the bear found a way to survive until someone pointed out to me that even if it did what would it have to eat. Times like these make one have to rethink many things. I hope this update is useful to NPN members.
PS I was supposed to be headed to Mt Evans today but I guess that will have to wait. I hear there is still lots of snow up there.
They haven't said for sure but now are leaning toward the fire having been started by a power line taken down by a tree in the wind. At this mornings briefing they said that the Main area in Frijoles Canyon is still threatened as the fire gained a foothold on the west mesa above it but there are a lot of resources working that area. The fire has made some advances into Los Alamos Canyon so Los Alamos townsite is still threatened. Fire resources are pouring in so hopefully they will get the upper hand soon. This fire is not even close to over unfortunately.
Posted by Phillip Noll on June 30, 2011 at 3:47 PM
NM Fire Update........
Las Conchas fire is 93,000 acres and 3% contained. Once it goes past 94,000 it will be the largest fire in NM history. Pacheco fire is 10,106 acres and 24% contained. For scale, Los Alamos is a town of about 18,000 people. Santa Fe has about 144,000 people.
High winds predicted for today! A possible thunderstorm but we are getting mainly dry lightning which is starting more fires.
Los Alamos is still under mandatory evacuation. White Rock is still voluntary. Since its voluntary we decided to come home and wait things out. Haven't unpacked yet though.
Pray for rain!!!!!!
Posted by Pam Colander on June 30, 2011 at 5:31 PM
Our afternoon teaser clouds have rolled in. They usually deign to give us a dozen or so drops of rain and the wind, of course, never ends. WHERE IS THE MONSOON!!!!!!
Discussion
5 repliesThe fire which started on on Sunday afternoon has now been reported to have reached over 70,000 acres. As much as 50% of Bandelier has been blackened, all in wilderness areas. A back burn was initiated above Alcove House (formerly Ceremonial Cave) an Ancestral Pueblo housing site perched 140 feet up on the cliff face. At this time, that backburn and other burn out on the rims of Frijoles Canyon have kept the fire out of the main visitor area including the Main Loop trail where most visitors go and the historic building complex, built by the CCC, that includes the visitor center. Numerous trees in the historic area were cut down as the fire approached this area so even though not burned it will look much different. The rest of the park and other surrounding areas have not fared as well. Upper Frijoles Canyon and Upper Alamo Canyon burned at high intesity. Beautiful and unique flowers grew in the shade of the trees up there. Jemez Mnt Salamanders (a very endangered species) were found there. I am told this is now a just a blackened moonscape. It will be years before we know the total impacts to the natural landscape there. In terms of human impact many fewer houses have been lost in this fire (none in Los Alamos proper at this time) than in the Cerro Grande fire 11 years ago. I lost my house in that one so I can speak first hand of how devastating it is for even one family to lose their home. Several people I work with escaped with very little as the fire flared across the Dome Road, a rural mountain area with scatter homes just north and west of the park. Their homes are gone. Hopefully this fire will be stopped before too much more devastation is done and without any loss of human life. There was a young black bear cub that was making appearances in the area near the Bandelier visitor center in the days before the fire. I had been hoping the bear found a way to survive until someone pointed out to me that even if it did what would it have to eat. Times like these make one have to rethink many things. I hope this update is useful to NPN members.
PS I was supposed to be headed to Mt Evans today but I guess that will have to wait. I hear there is still lots of snow up there.
Las Conchas fire is 93,000 acres and 3% contained. Once it goes past 94,000 it will be the largest fire in NM history. Pacheco fire is 10,106 acres and 24% contained. For scale, Los Alamos is a town of about 18,000 people. Santa Fe has about 144,000 people.
High winds predicted for today!
Los Alamos is still under mandatory evacuation. White Rock is still voluntary. Since its voluntary we decided to come home and wait things out. Haven't unpacked yet though.
Pray for rain!!!!!!