Wildfire

“When I left Los Alamos … I had seven people in my car (how many people can you get in a Honda Accord?). As I looked back toward the mountain, I saw houses burning, and I realized all of Los Alamos could burn.”
— Becky Smith

Have you experienced a challenge like this in your life?

What would become the Cerro Grande Fire began as what the National Park Service called a controlled burn, meant to protect the forest. Within a day, it burned out of control and was declared a wildfire. On May 7, 2000, three days after ignition, the western part of Los Alamos was evacuated. On May 10, when Los Alamos Canyon started to burn, the townsite was evacuated. Many evacuees took shelter with friends and family in White Rock. But at 1:07 a.m., sirens sounded in White Rock, announcing an evacuation for that community as well. 

The Cerro Grand Fire burns near Los Alamos on May 7. Photo by Gary Warren. Los Alamos National Laboratory Collection, Los Alamos Historical Society Photo Archives.

Abiquiu, Española, and Santa Clara Pueblo were under voluntary evacuations. The Pueblo de San Ildefonso evacuated residents sensitive to smoke inhalation. Many New Mexicans looked at the rising smoke plume and worried about possible environmental dangers—what would happen if the fire burned into Los Alamos National Laboratory? The Cerro Grande Fire captured national news attention.

May 4 press briefing. Photo by Andrea Booher/FEMA News Photo.

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