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“Everyone has a story to tell about the fire—no matter who you met right after it happened, you always talked about it.”
— Charlotte McQuillan

What have you learned about yourself from difficult experiences?

We can learn and grow from sharing our stories. This happens on a personal level and on societal levels as well. The Cerro Grande Fire led federal officials to update and improve national fire policy. Wildfires can involve different government agencies, as Cerro Grande did, and these agencies now have clearer guidelines on collaboration and support. Lessons learned from managing the specific threats to a nuclear laboratory have been shared internationally. The Russian city of Sarov, a sister city to Los Alamos, is also home to a nuclear laboratory. First responders from Los Alamos traveled to Sarov to lead workshops after the fire, and our town has welcomed first responders from Sarov for meetings here.

Reflecting on our past experiences can help us grow. Learning how we’ve responded to past situations can help us move forward when we face challenges. Listening to the experiences of others, and sharing our own, can make us stronger. There is a power in telling our stories.

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.

Students in Liz Martineau’s fourth grade class at Mountain Elementary School made this quilt to reflect on their feelings and memories of the fire. Gift of Elizabeth Martineau. LAHS Archives, 2014.078. Los Alamos Historical Society.

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