LOS ALAMOS HISTORY
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Welcome to the online exhibit of Resilience and Regrowth: Twenty Years After Cerro Grande. Explore photographs and artifacts, reflect on our journey of resilience, and share your stories of the Cerro Grande Fire.

Crisis

4/20/2020

 
“The Cerro Grande Fire created a sense of community that hasn’t existed here for 50 years.”
— Mark Bentley

How have you felt during times of crisis?

The Cerro Grande Fire was a crisis for the region. It destroyed or damaged the homes of 413 families in Los Alamos. Two eldery residents of Santa Clara Pueblo died as a result of smoke from the fire. The fire burned thousands of acres of San Ildefonso and Santa Clara land, including sacred sites. Parts of Los Alamos National Laboratory land burned, including office trailers holding years of research, but thanks to preventative measures and the efforts of firefighters, no environmental hazards were released. All told, 47,650 acres of forest burned.
New Mexico reeled from the effects of the Cerro Grande Fire. This was a fire set by the National Park Service, and for some people the fire contributed to concerns or mistrust of government agencies in northern New Mexico. The shared crisis also brought people together. Out of communities fragmented by the Manhattan Project, New Mexicans created a community of support and caring as we helped each other heal from the scars of the fire.
Map of the progression of the Cerro Grande Fire
Photo courtesy Pajarito Environmental Education Center.
return to the main exhibit page

Comments are closed.
    Header photo by Vint Miller, courtesy Los Alamos County.

    Were you here for the Cerro Grande Fire? Click here to share your story with us and to read stories of resilience from friends and neighbors.
    Share Your Story

    Join us in the Guest Cottage to see Resilience and Regrowth in person. The museum exhibit has the space to share even more photographs, artifacts, and personal stories.

    Thank You!
    Hero Sponsors
    Century Bank logo
    Cruiser's Custom Embroidery logo
    Del Norte Credit Union logo
    Enterprise Bank & Trust logo
    Holiday Inn Express & Suites at Los Alamos Entrada Park logo
    Los Alamos Community Foundation logo
    Jennifer Loveless Design logo
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    Thank you for your donations that made this exhibit possible!
    Melissa Arias
    Nancy and John Bartlit
    Stephen A. Becker
    Don Cavness
    Rose Chocolatier
    Rebecca Collinsworth
    Brent and Robyn Collom
    Beverly Cooper
    Hedy Dunn
    Terry Foxx
    John S. Hendricks
    Hans and Ryn Hermann
    Linda and Bob Hill
    Wendy Hoffman
    Mary Pat Kraemer
    Lemonade Living
    Judy Magelssen
    Craig Martin
    Elizabeth Martineau
    McDaniel Family
    Gordon McDonough
    Robert C. Moore
    Ben and Ruth Neal
    Joyce Nickols
    Todd Nickols
    Deborah and Rick Reiss
    John and Kit Ruminer
    Santa Fe New Mexican
    Sharon Snyder
    Georgia and Gerry Strickfaden
    Michelle Stump
    Cherie and Andy Trottier
    Todd Urbatsch
    Roger Waterman and        Emily McGay
    In creating this online exhibit, the Los Alamos Historical Society is supported by a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the New Mexico Humanities Council.
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The Los Alamos Historical Society preserves, promotes, and communicates the remarkable history and inspiring stories of Los Alamos and its people for our community, for the global audience, and for future generations. 
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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Learn / Research >
      • Information For Teachers
      • Teachers and Caregivers
      • Adult Resources >
        • National History Day
        • Homestead Driving Tour
        • History at Home
        • Pioneering Women in Los Alamos >
          • Archives and Collections Technician
        • Development of the Atomic Bomb
        • Links and Resources
    • Careers/Jobs
    • Who We Are
    • Contact
  • Museum Campus
  • Programs
    • Upcoming Events
    • Lecture Series
    • Spring 2023 Tour to Trinity
    • History Award
    • Los Alamos / Japan Project
    • Volunteer Training
  • Donate
    • Membership
    • Donate to Projects
    • Legacy Society
    • Collections Donations
    • Donate Your Time- Volunteer
  • History Blog
  • Shop
    • Books
    • Museum >
      • Plan Your Visit
      • Tours
      • Oppenheimer House
      • Exhibits >
        • Online and Temporary Exhibits
      • Victory Garden
      • Explore Los Alamos
      • Archive >
        • About the Archive
        • Research Appointments
        • Inside the Archives
        • Share Your Stories
        • COVID-19 Collecting
    • Children's Books & Gifts
    • Apparel
    • Gifts