Las Conchas Fire update

LOS ALAMOS, N.M. (KRQE) - While the Las Conchas fire appears to have moved past Los Alamos, it remains active on its northern front, which has spread into Rio Arriba County.

The fire Incident Management Team released this update Tuesday morning:

Overview

Little change is expected in the weather from yesterday. Thunderstorms are possible with the chance of strong outflow winds. East and southeast winds will develop over the fire area today, pushing the fire generally to the northwest. Winds developing after 10 am will push the fire up slopes and drainages, especially in drainages with east/west orientation. We also expect another day of very active fire behavior where open lines exist on any western edges or fingers. Fire photos are available and Las Conchas Fire Photo,

Resource advisors from the local pueblos continue to work with the incident management team to identify sensitive historical and cultural sites within the fire area. Archeologists are working with crews and equipment to avoid and protect these sites.

The New Mexico Department of Health is reminding residents that there are toll free numbers they can call to discuss health-related or mental health concerns due to wildfires burning in New Mexico. People who have questions about health-related issues due to smoke can call the New Mexico Nurse Advice Line at 1-877-725-2552. People who want to talk to a mental health professional can call 1-866-HELP-1-NM.

Communities of Santa Clara, Chicoma Mountain, Los Alamos, Parajito Mountain Ski area and surrounding areas - North Zone:

Santa Clara Area/Chicoma Mountain: The fire burned up to last year's South Fork burn, up to the meadows near Recheulos, and continues to move west toward Chicoma Mountain. Firefighters are working on containments lines with the objective of limiting continued spread to the north and northwest.

Los Alamos Area/Pajarito Mountain Ski Area: The fire above Los Alamos is active and visible. Containment lines are secure. There are many islands of unburned ground. In these areas, fire backs down slopes, and then makes visible short uphill runs. This pattern is likely to continue until the summer rains extinguish the fire. Meanwhile, with support of the Los Alamos Fire Department, the fire is being carefully monitored, and plans and firefighters are in place for structure protection at Pajarito Ski Area. Crews continue to reinforce the lines, widening the areas heat is extinguished adjacent to the control lines. Firefighters are completing the contingency line from Los Alamos Canyon to Forest Road 442. Near Cliff Road South, firefighters are monitoring the fire and building direct line as necessary.

Communities/Areas including Bandelier National Monument, Bland and Cochiti Canyons, Bearhead Peak, Vallecitos de los Indios, Sierra Los Pinos and surrounding areas - South Zone:

Bandelier National Monument: Along NM State Highway 4, crews will continue their work chipping material that was stacked along the roadway and mopping up. Structure protection crews will resume their work near the Bandelier National Monument Headquarters and the campground. Residents will continue to see smoke from this area but actively burning areas should be well within the fire line. The area will be continually monitored and additional resources will be inserted if needed.

Bland and Cochiti Canyons: This area should see very little fire activity today. Crews will be patrolling the canyons to identify any interior hot spots and continue to mop-up. Efforts will continue to clear roads in Bland Canyon to allow local residents to return to their properties in the near future.

Bearhead Peak: The fire continues to back down Peralta Ridge and is also backing down the south and west side of Bearhead Mountain. Firefighters will be closely monitoring that fire activity today. Crews will make final preparations to the fire line along Forest Road 266. The communication sites of Peralta Ridge and Bearhead Mountain are being closely monitored.

Vallecitos de Los Indios/Sierra Los Pinos: Crews will monitor and perform cleanup on the line to Griegos Peak. Crews will continue to provide structure protection around the communication center. Recent rainfall may preclude the need to blacken the line in the area. The team will also work on developing a structure protection plan for the local fire department to implement.

Communities of Cuba, Regina, Gallina, Youngsville, Coyote, Canones and surrounding areas - Northwest Zone:

The Pacific Northwest (PNW) Team 2, under the command of Mike Morcom, assumed responsibility of the Northwest Zone of the Las Conchas fire this morning. The fire team is based out of the Cuba Ranger Station in Cuba, NM, with base camp operations out of Cuba fairgrounds. The team will support operations in a geographic area that includes the Valles Caldera National Preserve and the Polvadera Grant area of the Santa Fe National Forest. The team will support two spike camps (Redondo and Delta) to locate the