Evacuations Ordered As Fire Threatens Los Alamos

This has been a year of major natural disasters. We have had floods, tornadoes, snow storms and now fires. So many people have lost so much this year. I am surprised that there has not been more lives lost. I can only hope that people continue to listen when the warnings are given.

Firefighters in northern New Mexico were battling on Tuesday to stall a raging wildfire before it reaches the town that is home to the government laboratory that produced the first atomic bomb.

The 44,000-acre Las Conchas wildfire burned in the mountains above Los Alamos as firefighters spent much of their time putting out spot fires, "the biggest threat we have right now to homes in the community," Deputy Los Alamos County Fire Chief Mike Thompson said late Monday.

Some 13,000 people, most of the city's residents, have been moved from Los Alamos. Those who refused to leave will be monitored by police and National Guard, officials said.

Strong winds were forecast for Tuesday. Meanwhile, air tankers were set to drop fire retardant and water on the fire.

So far, the wildfire has destroyed 30 structures south and west of Los Alamos. Blowing embers sparked at least one fire at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, but it was quickly put out.

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