Las Conchas Wildfire – Day 10
They are really getting control of this fire, with containment at 40% and most of the activity within the established lines. They are already starting remediation efforts in anticipation of the rains to come. This fire won’t be totally out until there is a pattern of regular rain over an extended period.
Information from the current Las Conchas Wildfire InciWeb Page
- Date Started: 6/26/2011
- Location: Jemez Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest; approximately 12 miles southwest of Los Alamos off NM 4 at mile marker 35, New Mexico
- Cause: Falling tree hit power lines
- Size: 136,955 acres [214 miles² 554 km²] based on infrared data
- Percent Contained: 40%
- Injuries to Date: 5
- Residences: 410 threatened; 63 destroyed; 3 damaged
- Commercial Property: 45 threatened; 5 destroyed; 3 damaged
- Outbuildings: 110 threatened; 32 destroyed; damaged
- Other: destroyed
- Number of Personnel: Approximately 2,340 including hotshot crews and 55 hand crews
- Equipment: 13 dozers, 83 engines, 36 watertenders
- Aircraft: 18 helicopters, air tankers
- Incident Commander: Dan Oltrogge, Area Command Team 1
Overview
Fire activity increased in the northeast corner due to hot, dry conditions, although all active fire remained within the perimeter. Fire behavior responded to terrain making runs up drainages and across some slopes. A large smoke column formed yesterday on the south zone, but all fire activity remained within established perimeters. Firefighters continue to monitor weather conditions for the possibility of thunderstorms. They are also watching for gusty, variable winds which can cause erratic fire behavior.
From last night’s infrared flight, the fire size is now calculated at 136,955 acres. Intense heat sources were detected on the northeast and southwest ends of the fire. The northeast end of the fire made large runs northwest of Los Alamos. High intensity heat was detected in this area. The northwest side of the fire shows some intense, but mostly scattered and isolated heat. The northeast and southwest perimeters had some significant growth. The southwest end burned hot with several spots merging west of Peralta Canyon.
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