VallesCaldera.com – The independent news source about the Valles Caldera

Fire managers stated that they achieved “good progress” against the Las Conchas fire Thursday, including staving the blaze off of both Chicoma Peak in the fire’s north flank, as well as Peralta Ridge in the southwest of the fire perimeter.

Reuters ran a story this afternoon crediting the successful defense of 11,560 foot Chicoma Peak to decreased winds and greater humidity, noting that the mountain is “considered as the ‘center of all’ by many New Mexico Pueblo Indians.” Chicoma also boasts the distinction as the highest peak in the Jemez Mountains.

Fire managers indicated in tonight’s InciWeb report that 200 hot shot crew members prevented another active front of the blaze — the southwest flank — from advancing. Their efforts were bolstered by aerial ignition techniques and the treatment of retardant on Peralta Ridge to extend the fire line along the ridge.

In Los Alamos, a thunderstorm-caused downdraft caused a flareup in Guaje Canyon, causing a huge amount of smoke to settle on the town. Los Alamos was also covered on the New York Times’ website, where a story by Greenwire details how the Cerro Grande burn scar saved Los Alamos from a much more devastating disaster:

The mood among the city’s 18,000 residents as the Las Conchas fire smolders is far more sanguine than 11 years ago, when the last major fire to threaten the city and its namesake nuclear weapons laboratory, the Cerro Grande Fire, destroyed about 350 homes. This time, however, Los Alamos was spared — and residents have the Cerro Grande fire to thank for it.

The Cerro Grande fire helped save Los Alamos, because while this fire did burn across the landscape, it burned less severely,” said Rod Torres, chief of interpretation for nearby Bandelier National Monument and a spokesman for the interagency team working on the Las Conchas fire, which is now 40 percent contained.

The massive, fast-moving blaze — at 136,955 acres, the largest on record in New Mexico — burned in a mosaic pattern, scorching the treetops in some areas but bypassing other pockets of forest almost entirely.

The day the fire began, on June 26, unusually strong winds created “rolling vortexes” that barreled across the landscape “like rolling tornadoes,” igniting 30 acres at a time, Torres said.

But on day two, the old Cerro Grande burn areas, identifiable by their scattered, standing dead trees and a thick, green carpet of new undergrowth, acted like a speed bump, dropping the fire to the ground and slowing it down, Torres explained. That allowed firefighters to set backburns more easily to try to contain the fire.

In the meantime, activity within the Valles Caldera National Preserve seems to be settling down, according to InciWeb:

Crews patrolled from the southern border of the Valles Caldera Preserve to the junction of Valles Caldera Road 9 [the Pipeline Road]. Mop up continued from Valles Caldera Road 9 to the junction of Valles Caldera Road 12 [the Garita Peak Road] and Forest Service Road 144. Progress has been excellent and that portion of the fireline is expected to be in patrol status by the end of tomorrow’s shift.

Crews worked to reinforce the fireline near Forest Road 144 to Rito de los Indios and additional preparation continues along Forest Service Roads 144 and 27 for potential burnout operations. Efforts continue to keep the fire out of the Canones watershed since numerous cultural and resource values remain at risk.

In Bandelier, crews successfully secured the fire perimeter and completed mop-up operations. The fire’s effect on the Monument was touched on by BirdWatching magazine’s web site today. The site quoted Bandelier research ecologist Craig Allen:

It’s a very ugly fire, now over 130,000 acres, the worst I’ve ever seen by far. Way too much crown fire. It burned 43,000 acres in the first 14 hours, all very hot. Over half of Bandelier burned, and the Capulin and Alamo upper watersheds and riparian areas took huge hits, as did parts of Frijoles Canyon.

We’ll likely remain evacuated from our offices until October (due to the threat of floods, as the rains are now about to finally come). I am feeling quite sad at times. Some of my very favorite lovely forests were completely consumed this time. Of course some ‘good’ fire occurred, too, but much of this fire was not. It either had unnatural stand-replacing intensities or reburned too soon into earlier fire-scarred areas.

UPDATE: 9:50 AM — The following photo, by Ethan Frogget, depicts an air crane at the Los Alamos Airport on Tuesday night, with a burning Guaje Ridge in the background:

The Las Conchas burned another 6,264 acres of the Jemez Mountains over the last day. Here is the most recent fire map from last night’s infrared flyover:

Below is the most recent InciWeb fire report:

Last night the fire had some very intense heat sources on the northeast and southwest ends of the fire. The northwest side of the fire continued to creep with some intense but mostly scattered and isolated heat. The northeast end of the fire made the largest runs in the area of northwest of Los Alamos. The west end of the fire was quiet with only isolated and scattered signatures detected. Due to hot, dry conditions experienced yesterday, terrain-driven fire runs materialized in drainages and across some slopes. All active fire behavior remained within the perimeter. 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.

Fire photos, a progression map, a perimeter map, if you have google earth and a Spanish translations are available: http://ge.tt/98NHgl5

Resource advisors from the local pueblos continue working with incident management teams to identify sensitive historical and cultural sites. Archeologists are working with crews and equipment operators to protect these sites.

The New Mexico Dept of Health reminds residents of toll-free numbers they can call to discuss health-related 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. Individuals who need to talk to a mental health professional can call 1-866-HELP-1-NM.
For concerns related to structures within the burned area of Sandoval County, property owners should call the county office at 505-867-0245 or contact David Bervin via email at dbervin@sandovalcountynm.gov
Community Meetings

La Cueva Fire Station #2 – Information Officers will conduct daily meetings at 3:00 pm. Local residents are welcome to attend for information and to have their fire suppression questions answered.

Tonight, July 7 at 6:30 pm at the Canones Community Center. Fire managers from the Incident Management Team and Forest Service representatives will provide updates on the Las Conchas Fire.

NORTH ZONE – Communities/areas of Santa Clara, Chicoma Mountain, Los Alamos, Parajito Mountain Ski area and surrounding areas:
Santa Clara Area/Chicoma Mountain: On the northeast perimeter of the fire within the Santa Clara Reservation, firefighters continued direct line fire attack and began mop up operations. The fire continued to spread slowly down the Rio del Oso and Rito del Abiquiu drainages toward Forest Road 144, north of Chicoma Mountain.

Los Alamos Area: Today the fire spread east, down the Guaje Canyon and adjacent drainages. Aerial resources were used to support firefighting efforts in the canyons northwest of Los Alamos. Firefighters utilized direct attack where possible. They continued burn-out and mop up operations.

Pajarito Mountain Ski Area: Today, firefighters conducted burn-outs along Forest Trail 287 and developed and reinforced contingency lines.

SOUTH ZONE – Communities/areas including Bandelier National Monument, Bland and Cochiti Canyons, Bearhead Peak, Vallecitos de Los Indios, Sierra Los Pinos and surrounding areas:

Bandelier: Crews are chipping branches and other flammable material left from fire suppression activities along NM State Highway 4, near Bandelier National Monument. The area will be monitored and additional resources will be brought in, if needed.

Bland and Cochiti Canyons: Very little fire activity was seen today. Crews continued to patrol the canyons to identify and mop up hot spots. Cochiti Canyon road is inaccessible.

Bearhead Peak: Fire has backed down from Bearhead Ridge into the bottom of Peralta Canyon. Winds helped push the fire through the drainage to the east face. The fire made a few runs up the slope before backing down. Weather conditions contributed to the formation of a large vertical plume which was visible throughout the area. The crest of Peralta Ridge was again treated with retardant and no fire was observed crossing the ridgeline. This fire behavior was anticipated and containment efforts are holding.

Vallecitos de Los Indios/Sierra Los Pinos: Crews will continue to monitor and clean up the fire containment line to Los Griegos. Crews will continue structure protection around the communication center.

NORTHWEST ZONE – Communities of Cuba, La Jara, Regina, Gallina,
Youngsville, Coyote, Canones, and surrounding areas:
Crews continue to work along Forest Roads 144 and 27, north of the Valles Caldera Preserve, to strengthen firelines and prepare for potential burn-out operations, if conditions warrant. Significant progress was made mopping up the northwest perimeter within the Valles Caldera Preserve. Crews currently working east of Redondo Mountain and east of Cerro de la Garita are being demobilized as they complete mop up objectives.
Northwest of Chicoma Mountain and Forest Road 144, interior sections of the fire continue to burn. The fire burned to the South Fork Fire of 2010 and then slowed considerably. Fire behavior included isolated torching and low to moderate spread.

Location: On Santa Fe National Forest in Sandoval, Los Alamos, and Rio Arriba Counties; Santa Clara Reservation; Bandelier National Monument; Valles Caldera National Preserve; and state and private in-holdings.
Date Started: 06/26/2011
Cause: Human
Size: 136,955 acres
Percent Contained: 40%
Total Personnel: 2,340 including 55 crews
Resources: 18 Helicopters; 83 Engines; 36 Water Tenders; 13 Dozers
Residences: 410 threatened; 63 destroyed
Commercial Property: 45 threatened; 0 destroyed
Outbuildings: 110 threatened; 32 destroyed
Injuries to Date: 5
Closures and Restrictions
According to the New Mexico Department of Transportation, NM-4 from mile marker 33 to mile marker 49.5, between La Cueva and the Los Alamos County Line, is open to Los Alamos. Hazardous conditions exist – drive with caution. For additional information please call 1-800-432-4269.

Below is the most recent map showing the progression of the Las Conchas Fire (the redder the color, the more recent the fire activity took place):

Yesterday, the Las Conchas Fire primarily grew along the northeastern flank of the blaze, with some additional growth near the town of Los Alamos as well as along the southwestern edge of the fire. The inferno has now grown to 127,821 acres, with 27% containment. Meanwhile, a third Type 1 incident management team, which arrived on the scene on Sunday, has established its base of operations in Cuba.

According to the Santa Fe New Mexican:

Firefighters anticipated what they call “extreme fire behavior” in Santa Clara Canyon [Tuesday] and reported that it had pushed toward the north slope of Chicoma Peak on Santa Clara Pueblo lands, but pueblo spokesman Joe Baca said late Monday that fire lines appeared to be holding on the eastern edge of the fire.
…
Officials also said Monday that some areas of the Valles Caldera National Preserve on the northwest edge of the fire are still in danger, but that burnout operations conducted Sunday there were successful.

The Albuquerque Journal reported today from the escorted tour that property owners in the Cochiti Mesa received from the Forest Service — the first time that these neighbors of ours have seen their homes since the fire raced through on June 26.

Los Alamos National Laboratory, which has been closed since June 27, will reopen tomorrow. This comes on the heels of Sunday’s cancellation of the town’s evacuation order.

However, Highway 4 will not be reopening any time soon. This will no doubt cause headaches among Lab employees who live in the Jemez, who will have to drive 2 1/2-3 hours one way to get to work via Bernalillo. From today’s release by fire managers:

Due to fire behavior, and continued firefighting activities, the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security, New Mexico Department of Transportation, and Highway Patrol have determined that State Highway 4 will remain closed from the intersection of NM State Highway 4 and Forest Road 10 near Vallecitos de Los Indios until further notice.

Here is today’s Las Conchas Fire report from InciWeb:

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 [from the north end of the fire) are available at Las Conchas Fire Photos.

Continue reading ’2,196 firefighters now battling Las Conchas Fire; 127,821 acres burned with 27% containment; 3rd type 1 incident management team bases operations in Cuba’

UPDATE: 4:45 PM — Click below to watch a slideshow of hundreds of photos of the Las Conchas Fire, via Flickr. Click on the button on the lower right of the photos to watch this in full-screen mode:

UPDATE: 2:15 PM — Underscoring the National Weather Service’s declaration that the summer monsoon season has begun, the NWS has issued a flash flood warning for the central Jemez Mountains. Here near Sierra los Piños, we received strong rain and hail for about a half hour this afternoon. From the NWS:

Flash Flood Warning remains in effect until 245 PM MDT for central
Sandoval… extreme south central Rio Arriba and extreme west central
Los Alamos counties…

At 148 PM MDT… National Weather Service Doppler radar continued to
indicate a thunderstorm producing locally heavy rain near Jemez
Springs… or about 18 miles southeast of Cuba. The storm producing
locally heavy rain was nearly stationary. This area includes western
portions of the Las Conchas fire burn scar.

Locations impacted include…
rural central Sandoval County…
rural extreme south central Rio Arriba County…
rural extreme west central Los Alamos County…

Officials announced an end to the mandatory evacuation of Los Alamos this morning. However, the Las Conchas Fire did expand 6% in size yesterday, to 121,248 acres, and fire managers “anticipate some fire growth towards the north” for today. Nevertheless, managers stated that “overcast skies and higher relative humidity yesterday helped moderate fire behavior and assisted firefighters in making good progress. Partial cloud cover this morning may continue this trend.” The fire is now listed at 11% contained.

We have been experiencing occasional isolated thunderstorms in the Sierra los Piños area for the last couple of days. According to the Albuquerque Journal, the National Weather Service has stated that the summer monsoon season has begun:

Yesterday’s afternoon and evening thunderstorms brought rain around New Mexico, a sign that our summer monsoon season is getting underway, according to Ed Polasko of the National Weather Service’s Albuqerque office. “It’s not the traditional ‘Monsoon’ moisture surge from the south (shower/thunderstorm coverage is spotty not widespread), but since the dry “westerlies” don’t look to return anytime soon, it looks like our summer monsoon season has started,” Polasko wrote in a note this morning to members of New Mexico’s Drought Monitoring Working Group.

The fire also inflicted its first two human injuries yesterday. From fire reports: “Two firefighters were injured and transported from the fire. The first firefighter suffered injuries to his lower extremities; the other suffered from a head injury. Both firefighters are reported to be in stable condition as of last night.”

Here is this morning’s official report of the fire from InciWeb:

Overcast skies and higher relative humidity yesterday helped moderate fire behavior and assisted firefighters in making good progress. Partial cloud cover this morning may continue this trend. Forecasted thunderstorms in the afternoon will likely produce strong outflow winds, and lightning strikes are a concern. Continued humidity and the possibility of rain may help firefighters get ahead of the fire and reinforce existing fire lines. With cloud cover shading the area, firefighters expect to see fewer spot fires igniting from blowing embers. As the day warms, the fire activity can increase. Smoke impacts are expected to continue near the active fire areas. Unhealthy conditions are anticipated to continue near Los Alamos, White Rock, and Abiquiu, NM.

Today, firefighters anticipate some fire growth towards the north. Along the northwest edge of the fire, terrain driven winds will align well and provide potential for active fire behavior pushing the fire to the west of the South Fork fire. On the northeast corner, the fire will continue to burn to the 144 road where crews will be vigilantly monitoring for spotting across the road. In this area, heavy fuels in the mixed conifer pose a challenge to firefighters. The fire will continue to back down slopes in the Cerro Grande burn scar, making occasional runs upslope through unburned fuels. Some spotting and terrain driven movement may occur on the southeastern edge of the fire as fuels dry.

Firefighters will mop up and secure fire line on many sections of the fire today. Aerial support will be utilized today to build and maintain fire lines on the northeast portion of the fire. On the Santa Clara Reservation, around the Pajarito Ski Area, and in other areas crews will burnout fuels in between the fire and the fire lines. Firefighters are also constructing a hand line along Trail 287 within the Los Alamos Canyon near the City of Los Alamos and scouting the upper drainages for a contingency plan. Crews will also be establishing and maintaining a fire line along the southern edge of Bandelier Canyon.

Firefighters will continue to improve FR 266 as a potential fire line. The fire line around Bearhead Peak is also being reinforced to protect important cultural sites. Fire crews and equipment remain in the Vallecitos de los Indios and Sierra Los Pinos area to provide structure protection. Structure protection is also in place in other areas.

Crews will continue to work on clearing the roads to Cochiti Mesa and Bland Canyon to allow local residents to return to their properties in the near future. Due to inaccessible road conditions, an alternate route for residents to visit their property in Cochiti Canyon is being identified.

Resource advisors from the local pueblos continue to work with the incident management teams to identify sensitive historical and cultural sites within the fire area. Archeologists are working directly with crews and equipment to avoid and protect these sites. Although the fire has extended over many sites, to date there has been almost no damage caused directly by fire suppression activities.

A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) assessment team is developing a plan for post fire rehabilitation. BAER teams typically review post-fire conditions and recommend and implement treatments to begin to restore watersheds where possible. These efforts are intended to speed up nature’s natural recovery processes to stabilize soils before rains arrive with the summer monsoon. With the rainy season upon us, they will assess what measures can be put into place to help mitigate possible erosion issues in the region due to the coming rains. This will be an ongoing effort.

Yesterday, two firefighters were injured and transported from the fire. The first firefighter suffered injuries to his lower extremities; the other suffered from a head injury. Both firefighters are reported to be in stable condition as of last night.

Click on the above window to watch a report by KRQE news consisting of aerial footage of the fire’s devastation of the Valles Caldera and Jemez Mountains.

The Las Conchas Fire was pegged overnight at 113,734 acres in size. Approximately 1,632 personnel, including 41 handcrews, are battling the flames. The latest figures show that the fire has destroyed 63 residences, with 450 residents threatened by the fire. The Albuquerque Journal reported that “the fire grew significantly overnight, especially to the northwest, authorities said. It grew about 1 1/2 to 2 miles west of the Santa Clara Canyon area.”

The Journal also reported that professionals aboard a flight last night to generate today’s infrared map of the Las Conchas Fire deemed the heat from the fire as unprecedented:

In growing nearly 10,000 acres in 24 hours, the Las Conchas fire pushed west into the Valles Caldera and north into national forest land with what one of the technicians working on the overnight mapping flight described in a report to colleagues this morning as “the hottest fire he has ever experienced in his 20-plus year career, with 300 foot flame lengths visible from the air.”

However, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican, firefighters might be “turning a corner” on gaining control of the disaster:

The fire by Friday had scorched more than 104,000 acres in forests and canyons west of Los Alamos, officials said, stretching north of Santa Clara Pueblo and pushing south onto Cochiti Pueblo.

But as the fire moved closer to defensive lines cut this week and to areas already denuded by fires in recent years, the conflagration was aligned to hit a barrier that should mitigate further movement north, said Jerome MacDonald, operations section chief for one of the fire’s incident management teams.

“We’ve got a window of opportunity with a change in the weather and position of the fires and the fuels to get out ahead of it,” he said at a midday briefing, noting a “minuscule amount” of rainfall also has helped.

The following photo shows another perspective of the current condition of the Valle Grande:

Here is the infrared map of the fire from last night:

Below is the official summary of today’s plan to contain the fire, as shown on InciWeb:

Although fire lines in the Los Alamos area are currently holding, these lines are not fully contained. In many areas yesterday’s fire behavior was generally a backing fire, spreading the fire slowly down slopes and into canyons. Where downed logs are burning, heat and smoke are prevalent. As the smoke column developed, some locations along the fire perimeter experienced more active fire behavior.

Firefighting activities focus on protecting communities, watersheds, and other important features. Several communities around the fire include Los Alamos, White Rock, Vallecitos (in Los Alamos County), Recheulos, Town of Cochiti Lake, Cochiti Pueblo, Jemez Pueblo, and Vallecitos de Indios Subdivision. Other concerns include numerous communication sites, the New Mexico natural gas pipeline, Cerro Pelado Lookout, extensive cultural and archeological sites, watersheds and riparian areas.

Community meetings were held yesterday evening in Jemez Springs, in Cochiti Pueblo, and at the Pueblo of Santa Clara. Local residents attended each meeting and received updated information on the fire and had their questions answered. In Cochiti Pueblo’s meeting, the residents also heard a report from an archeologist explaining what actions are being taken to help preserve the sensitive cultural sites. Each day at 2:00 p.m. an information officer will hold an informal meeting at the La Cueva Fire Station #2. A public meeting will also be held at 2:00 p.m. at the White Rock Baptist Church.

The south and north zone fire boundaries will be realigned as of 6:00 am this morning. The south zone has been expanded and includes all land north of Vallecitos de Los Indios along the boundary of the Valles Caldera.

Today’s activities include:

• constructing a handline along Trail 287 within the Los Alamos Canyon near the City of Los Alamos and scouting the upper drainages for a contingency plan.
• conducting burnout operations near the Pajarito Mountain Ski Area to prevent the fire from spreading.
• implementing structure protection plans around communities at risk.
  conducting burnout operations to protect cultural and historical sites near Santa Clara Pueblo.
• scouting along New Mexico Road 144 along the western perimeter of the fire, to watch for spot fires.
• clearing roads in Bland and Cochiti canyons to allow local residents to return.
• protecting critical communication towers by reinforcing yesterday’s retardant drops with dozer lines.
• scouting fire control line locations in the Valles Caldera National Preserve.

Thunderstorms along with gusty winds are forecast for this afternoon. Some areas will receive potentially heavy rain while in other places rain may not reach the ground. Lightning poses a danger to firefighters and potentially starting new fires and downdrafts from these storms may intensify fire behavior and spread.

All firefighting crews receive a daily briefing on sensitive historical and cultural sites within the fire area. Measures are being taken to identify and avoid sensitive areas. Archeologists work with our dozers, graders and hand crews to minimize damage to sensitive areas.

A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) assessment team is arriving to develop a plan for post fire rehabilitation. BAER teams typically review post-fire conditions and recommend and implement treatments to help restore watersheds. The key emphasis is to stabilize soils before rains arrive with the summer monsoon. The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) program is a rapid assessment of burned watersheds by BAER teams to identify unacceptable post-fire threats and implement emergency treatments to reduce unacceptable risks before the first major storm or damaging event. The fire results in a loss of vegetation, exposure of the soil to erosion and increased water runoff that may lead to flooding and increased sediment and debris flows. BAER treatments such as the installation of erosion and runoff water control devices; temporary barriers to protect recovering areas; warning signs; and drainage features for increased flow may be implemented. BAER work may also replace safety related facilities; remove safety hazards; prevent permanent loss of habitat for threatened and endangered species; and prevent the spread of noxious weeds.

Sandoval County Fire Department is working on an assessment of structures lost or damaged by the fire. They are notifying residents and facilitating the escort of residents back into this area as soon as possible. For concerns related to structures within the burned area, property owners are directed to call the county office at 505-867-0245 or contact David Bervin via email at dbervin@sandovalcountynm.gov.

Date Started: 1 p.m., 6/26/2011
Size: approximately 113,734 acres
Percent Contained: 6%
Cause: Unknown – under investigation
Number of personnel: Approximately 1,632 personnel including 41 handcrews.
Location: Approximately 12 miles southwest of Los Alamos off NM 4 at mile marker 35.
Fuels: Mixed Conifer, Ponderosa Pine. Fuel moisture is extremely low.
Equipment: 4 dozers, 67 engines, 24 water tenders
Aircraft: 11 helicopters
Residence Destroyed: 63 Residents Threatened: 450
Commercial Property Destroyed: 5 Commercial Property Threatened: 55
Outbuildings Destroyed: 32 Outbuildings Threatened: 140
Fire Information: 505-428-7735 or 505-216-2685 (Daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
http://www.inciweb.org/ or Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/NMFireInfo/lasconchasfire

UPDATE: 4:00 PM — Reporting from the home of VallesCaldera.com in the Sierra los Piños area, two miles west of the fire lines: Two La Cueva Volunteer Fire Department trucks just appeared at our house to sign us up for a reverse 911 system, and also to draw a diagram of our property, including our road access and the locations of our propane and septic tanks. A sincere thank you goes out from VallesCaldera.com to all of the firefighters battling this blaze, including our local La Cueva Volunteers!

UPDATE: 3:45 PM — Here are today’s planned firefighting activities that pertain to the south half of the Las Conchas Fire, as per the incident management team that is battling this section of the blaze, via NM Fire Info:

Late yesterday afternoon a new fire started in the Bear Springs Canyon area.  This was probably the result of a dry lightening strike.  Air resources were quickly dispatched to this area and Santa Fe Forest crews, assisted by our ground crews, responded to the location and extinguished the fire.

 Direct hand line continues to be reinforced to contain the fire on the west side.  The line is presently holding near the communities of Vallecitos de los Indios and Sierra Los Pinos and fire advancement has checked in this area.  Crews are also working to protect a critical communications tower nearby.

 On the south side of the fire, crews are working in Bland and Cochiti canyons.  The fire in Bland Canyon is advancing toward an old burn area and it is anticipated that the fire will hault once it reaches this area due to lack of fuel.

 Crews continue to scout existing roads and trails to define future indirect line.  Additional firefighting resources continue to arrive and are being placed to work.    
  
 All firefighting crews receive a daily briefing from an archeologist in relation to the sensitive historical and cultural sites within the south region.  Crews are instructed on how to identify and avoid sensitive areas.  Six archeologists have been assigned to work with dozer and hand crews to help ensure that no sensitive areas are damaged.

 A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) assessment team leader has arrived and is starting to develop a plan for post fire rehabilitation.  BAER teams typically review post-fire conditions and recommend and implement treatments to begin to restore watersheds where possible.  These efforts are intended to speed up nature’s natural recovery processes to stabilize soils before rains arrive with the summer monsoon.  With the rainy season upon us, they will assess what measures can be put into place to help mitigate possible erosion issues in the region due to the coming rains.  This will be an ongoing effort.

 Sandoval County Fire Department continues to assess damage caused by the fire.  They have been assessing fire damage to structures in Cochiti and Bland Canyons.  It is anticipated that notifications will made to area residents shortly.  Our crews are working to make roads safely passable.  Every effort is being made to facilitate the escort of residents back into this area as soon as possible.  For concerns related to structures within the burned area, property owners are directed to call the county office at 505-867-0245 or contact David Bervin via email at dbervin@sandovalcountynm.gov.

UPDATE: 2:40 PM — The Boston Globe‘s web site has posted an incredible photo set consisting of dozens of scenes of the Las Conchas Fire.

Overnight infrared flyovers of the Las Conchas Fire confirm that the blaze has grown into the most massive wildfire in the history of the Land of Enchantment. According to InciWeb, the size of the fire is now 103,842 acres (162 square miles) — an increase of 11,107 acres over yesterday. The fire’s infamous distinction as the state’s largest ever was reached as it overtook the size of the 2003 Dry Lakes Fire in the Gila National Forest, which expanded to 94,580 acres after burning for five months. In comparison, the Las Conchas Fire has been burning for only five days.

1,201 firefighters are now battling the blaze, which remains at 3% containment.

According to Sen. Tom Udall’s twitter feed, the entire western half of Santa Clara Pueblo’s forests have burned. The Santa Fe New Mexican covered the destruction of the Pueblo’s homeland in today’s paper.

The New Mexican also reported on the destruction of portions of two well-known Jemez Mountain tourist destinations: Bandelier National Monument and the Dixon Apple Orchard. The newspaper reports that half of Bandelier has been burned, or 18,000 acres, although the historic visitor center has been untouched. According to the New Mexican:

About half of the park’s 3,000 archaeological sites — which include everything from pot shards to the underground chambers known as kivas — were touched by the flames, according to Rod Torrez, the park’s chief of interpretation. “But those sites have lived through many fires,” he said.

As for the Dixon Apple Orchard, most of its 3,000 trees were spared, although the fire destroyed the homes on the family-owned orchard, according to the New Mexican:

By 4:30 a.m., the Mullanes [the owners of the orchard] returned to their land to view the damage. The first things their headlights spotted through the smoke were rows of apple trees — safe. They saw their packing shed and machine shed — safe. Their apple bins — safe. Further up the road, a different story unfolded. Their house, their foreman’s house and the housing for harvest workers were all burning.

“Our work is down there,” Jim Mullane said Wednesday, fighting back tears as he pointed to the orchard. “But our life up here is over.”

Here is an update, via Inciweb, of today’s plan of action to combat the north half of the Las Conchas Fire, which remains the most active:

Winds will be lighter today and are projected to push the fire eastward. We expect the fire to become active with extreme fire behavior where winds and slope align. Precipitation from yesterday will only improve fuel moistures in the fine dead fuels until the afternoon when fuel moistures will return to conditions seen in previous days. Heavy fuels held the fire overnight; however, mop-up efforts are needed to prevent additional growth. The fire may become plume dominated, with the potential for erratic spreading and spotting in all directions.

North – The fire may continue to progress north and east beyond the 144 road and may align with terrain in the gap between the South Fork and Cerro Grande burn scars. The lighter fuels in these areas will reduce the fire’s intensity but remain receptive to spotting. Firefighters plan to conduct burnout operations in the area.

East – Firefighters will continue burnout operations along the Pajarito Ski Area to reduce the likelihood for spotting. Firefighters will be completing line around Los Alamos and looking for opportunities to check the fire’s spread in the old Cerro Grande burn.

South side of north zone – Firefighters will be monitoring the area, checking the fire’s spread as needed, and ensuring heavy fuels are well mopped-up to prevent embers blowing across the line.

West – Firefighters will work on a direct fire line from 4 Road to Valles Caldera 2 Road and prepare the Valles Caldera 4 Road for burnout to help confine the fire’s spread.

Here is a photo of a mountain lion crossing Hwy 4 near Bandelier and LANL during the fire:

UPDATE: 1:45 AM — This photo depicts the flames of the Las Conchas Fire to the right (north) of the town lights of Los Alamos, plainly visible from Santa Fe Thursday night. Photo by Brian Egolf via twitter.

UPDATE: 12:10 AM — Jeremy Jolola of KOB-TV posted the following rough synopsis of Thursday’s events regarding the Las Conchas Fire via Twitter:

-Fire is a record breaker burning beyond 94k acres. This will be official Friday, likely.

-The fire activity closest to Los Alamos has calmed down compared to days past

-Chief Doug Tucker is confident the fire will not burn through the canyon into Los Alamos.

-A fire in the Los Alamos Canyon has been taken care off with back burns and foam

-Sadly sacred parts of land on Santa Clara Pueblo property has been destroyed

-The most aggressive part of the fire is in the Pueblo area, moving north where there are a lot of fuels.

-Air tankers will finally attack this part of the fire Friday

-IMPORTANT: THERE IS NO TIME LINE ON WHEN PEOPLE CAN COME BACK HOME

-As for haze in Los Alamos, it was actually a clear day, except for several hours today when the smoke came in. I suspect some homes will smell like smoke whenever people come back

UPDATE: 10:10 PM — Scores of revealing photos of the Las Conchas Fire’s effects on the Valles Caldera have been posted on the Valles Caldera National Preserve’s official Facebook page. Here are several of the photos, which were taken by VCNP staff member Rourke McDermott:

This shot was taken on the western portion of the Valle Grande looking toward flames burning lava dome Cerro del Medio, which is the most prominent dome that can be seen directly across the Valle Grande from the pullouts on Hwy. 4.

The Las Conchas Fire burning Cerro del Medio looms over elk on the Valle Grande.

Cerro del Medio burns.

Flames engulf Cerro de los Posos, just north of the Valle de los Posos, which separates Pajarito Mountain and Cerro del Medio.

An air crane replenishes its supply of water on the Valle Toledo. Although the source of the water shown here is not stated in the photo’s Facebook caption, it is likely at or near the headwaters of the San Antonio River in the Toledo.

Fire crews blaze a line of defense against the Las Conchas Fire at the north end of Obsidian Valley.

Rendondo Meadow has been transformed into a temporary city as it serves as one of the Las Conchas Fire’s incident command stations.

UPDATE: 4:55 PM — The National Weather Service has just released the following satellite image which shows the Las Conchas Fire and its burn scar. The image was taken from satellite passes over the area Wednesday afternoon and night. Click the image below to load a high-resolution version:

UPDATE: 4:20 PM — The Las Conchas Fire has burned more than 6,000 acres of Santa Clara Pueblo land, according to the pueblo:

Santa Clara Pueblo, NM – The Las Conchas Fire has charred more than 6,000 acres of the watershed of Santa Clara Pueblo and continues to destroy cultural sites, forest resources, plants and animals that the people of Santa Clara depend upon for their livelihood and culture. Wildfires have burned two-thirds of Santa Clara’s forest over the past 13 years, including 8,300 acres burned by the 1998 Oso Complex Fire and the 2000 Cerro Grande Fire. In response, Santa Clara Pueblo Governor Walter Dasheno has issued a Declaration of Emergency.

“We are devastated to witness the destruction of our precious homeland,” said Governor Dasheno. “From time immemorial to this day our community has been stewards of this land, have fought to regain portions taken from us and have invested millions of dollars in restoring the forest and resources.”
…
After two days of extreme fire behavior, the Las Conchas Fire entered Santa Clara Pueblo lands mid-day on June 29. In the last 24 hours the fire has exploded across the western third of the reservation. This includes the area known as “P’opii Khanu,” the headwaters of the creek, which the Pueblo regained in 2000 after 140 years of struggle.

“Our canyon is the source of our Santa Clara Creek that we rely upon for irrigation but, more than that, it was a beautiful place of abundance in wildlife, clean water, culturally-significant trees and medicinal plants,” said Governor Dasheno.

UPDATE: 3:40 PM — Within 20 minutes after it began, the storm cell passed to the northeast and the sky above is once again blue.

UPDATE: 3:10 PM — Reporting from two miles west of the fire lines at the home of VallesCaldera.com: It is pouring here in the Sierra los Piños area. Weather maps show this to be a relatively small storm cell, heading to the northeast. This is the first precipitation we have experienced here in quite a while.

A new fire map released today (seen below) shows the only main area of significant geographical expansion over the past day of the Las Conchas Fire has been within the Valles Caldera National Preserve and Santa Clara Pueblo. As the fire has been burning north and west, it appears to have burned Cerro del Medio and the Rincon se los Soldados entirely, has entered the beautiful Valle Toledo, and has climbed Chicoma Peak and Cerro Toledo. Cerro Abrigo has burned due to an intentional fire having been set at the top of that lava dome with the hope of stopping westward movement of the fire. This is in addition to prior days’ burning of the southeastern rim of the Valles Caldera, Rabbit Mountain, Cerro Grande, and the eastern portion of the Valle Grande. Additionally, spot fires have been burning in Santa Clara Pueblo.

Today, winds in the the Jemez Mountains are predicted at 25 mph with wind gusts up to 45. Fire managers have labeled the potential for growth of Las Conchas Fire as very high. Staci Matlock of the Santa Fe New Mexican reported that “thunderstorms are dropping lightning strikes into Las Conchas Fire area,” adding another threat to the region.

Click on the map below to download a high-resolution, pdf version of the most recently-released Las Conchas fire map:

Here are today’s strategies with regard to all four flanks of the Las Conchas Fire, as per InciWeb, the Incident Information System:

North – Firefighters are monitoring long-range spotting, which have been seen as far north as the Santa Clara Pueblo. Firefighters will also be dealing with unfavorable winds which may result in extreme fire behavior and continue to push the fire to the north. Firefighters will continue scouting for potential fire line and burnout opportunities to prevent the fire from spreading.

East – Firefighters will work the fire line along the NM Hwy 4 through Bandelier National Monument. Firefighters are working with the Los Alamos National Laboratory to prevent the fire from spreading on to the lab along the eastern perimeter down toward the southern edge of the fire. Firefighters are also creating and implementing structure protection plans for the Pajarito Ski Area and the Bandelier National Monument, as well as coordinating with the Los Alamos Fire Department.

South – Firefighting efforts in this area are supported with favorable winds and lighter fuel types. Today firefighters will be looking for opportunities to check fire spread along the Sanchez and Medio canyons.

West -Firefighters will continue to monitor the northwest side along NM Hwy 4. Favorable winds are helping firefighting efforts in this area.