“Boom boom… out go the lights” a song from years past by Pat Travers is the first thing that popped in my head.
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KTLA) — Electricity has been restored to hundreds of thousands of the estimated 5 million customers hit by a major power outage that stretched from Orange County to Arizona, officials said early Friday, adding that the entire incident was caused by one person’s mistake.
This posting from Time had me LMAO! Here are some of the highlights… and some of the better comments posted….
“0 minutes. Presidential debates come and go. But tonight’s GOP debate, the fourth in a series too numerous to bear, is a special treat. “We are all gathered under the wings of Air Force One,” says NBC’s Brian Williams, referring to the great phallus of American presidential might that sits in the hangar at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. No setting could be more appropriate. The camera soaks it in–all 153-feet of Reagan’s retired plane.”
Wildfires are raging across central Texas, compounding drought that has caused $5.2bn in agricultural losses and led ranchers in the largest cattle-producing US state to rush to slaughter.
(Sept 6, 2011) Now with the Ten-Year Anniversary of 9/11 only a few days away, stories and facts have yet re-emerged like a hungry bear from it’s den after a long winters hibernation.
Therefore, while perusing the internet, I came across The Telegraphs “21 Awful Truths About 9/11“…
OMG!…. Here is number eight on the list:
“Three hours before the attacks, a machine called a Random Event Generator at Princeton University predicted a cataclysmic event was about to unfold.”
Video shot by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department shows how quickly a wildfire is moving through Bastrop State Park. At least two-thirds of the 6,000 acre park have burned. (Sept. 6)
UPDATE: Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011
Bert Lopez is the officer that has become viral on the internet caught on a surveillance camera having sex on the hood of his woman-friends car… with the woman’s Chihuahua as a witness. Mr Lopez has been fired. He has 30 days to appeal.
The infamous scene occurred just outside of Santa Fe NM at the county-owned La Bajada Ranch, which was formerly known as Santa Fe Canyon Ranch. The camera was installed – apparently without the knowledge of the officer – to capture pictures of vandals. I am sure those that installed it did not expect to capture what they did.
Bert Lopez was also the “State Police Officer of the Year” in State Police District 1 in 2010.
____________________________________
UPDATE: Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011
I reside in Albuquerque NM, and ran into my attorney-friend out of Santa Fe today and chatted about this photo… According to him, the scuttlebutt is that the dog in the picture – which belongs to the lady in the photo – was running around biting the troopers ankle and may have actually set off the surveillance camera. Personally, I can believe the story about the dog biting his ankles… but the little tiny Chihuahua setting off the camera and not the car??? But it does add a bit of flavor to the story….
Also, he (my friend) did happen to comment that this officer is a very nice man… which is unusual for my friend to say as he typically is not a fan of our local police force (although this is a state trooper, the Justice Dept is investigating our local ABQ police force for too many police shootings & killings) . Looks as though Mr Trooper here made a very bad judgment call. Next time, I advise a hotel room.
______________________________________
Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011, original posting:
I am completely speechless… well, sort of….
There are many wonderful officers out there in this country… this world. But sadly, there are many who do not wear their uniform and carry their badge as they were meant to, and the numbers seem to be increasing.
I wonder if the dog in the picture will be a testifying witness to the event…..
He was placed on administrative leave with pay after surveillance photos appear to show the uniformed trooper engaging in sex with a woman on a car in broad daylight.
The photos did not contain a date stamp, but the sheriff’s office said they were taken two weeks ago from a camera used to record graffiti vandals at an entrance to the spacial Santa Fe Ranch.
State Police will not comment about the pictures or any internal investigation against the officer, saying it is an ongoing personnel matter.
Santa Fe Sheriff Robert A. Garcia said the trooper does not face legal action because even though there may be evidence of a lack of judgment, an actual crime was not committed.
Lack of judgment………… You think?
Thursday, Sept. 1st, 2011
Scores of homes have been destroyed in wildfires that have devastated large parts of Texas and Oklahoma.
The Texas Forest Service said it had been the worst fire season in the state’s history, with 20,115 blazes burning a record 3.5m acres since November.
Actress Daryl Hannah has joined the over 500 people who have been arrested since August 20 for a sit-in protest outside the White House.
UPDATE: Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011
Bert Lopez is the officer that has become viral on the internet caught on a surveillance camera having sex on the hood of his woman-friends car… with the woman’s Chihuahua as a witness. Mr Lopez has been fired. He has 30 days to appeal.
The infamous scene occurred just outside of Santa Fe NM at the county-owned La Bajada Ranch, which was formerly known as Santa Fe Canyon Ranch. The camera was installed – apparently without the knowledge of the officer – to capture pictures of vandals. I am sure those that installed it did not expect to capture what they did.
Bert Lopez was also the “State Police Officer of the Year” in State Police District 1 in 2010.
____________________________________
UPDATE: Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011
I reside in Albuquerque NM, and ran into my attorney-friend out of Santa Fe today and chatted about this photo… According to him, the scuttlebutt is that the dog in the picture – which belongs to the lady in the photo – was running around biting the troopers ankle and may have actually set off the surveillance camera. Personally, I can believe the story about the dog biting his ankles… but the little tiny Chihuahua setting off the camera and not the car??? But it does add a bit of flavor to the story….
Also, he (my friend) did happen to comment that this officer is a very nice man… which is unusual for my friend to say as he typically is not a fan of our local police force (although this is a state trooper, the Justice Dept is investigating our local ABQ police force for too many police shootings & killings) . Looks as though Mr Trooper here made a very bad judgment call. Next time, I advise a hotel room.
______________________________________
Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011, original posting:
I am completely speechless… well, sort of….
There are many wonderful officers out there in this country… this world. But sadly, there are many who do not wear their uniform and carry their badge as they were meant to, and the numbers seem to be increasing.
I wonder if the dog in the picture will be a testifying witness to the event…..
He was placed on administrative leave with pay after surveillance photos appear to show the uniformed trooper engaging in sex with a woman on a car in broad daylight.
The photos did not contain a date stamp, but the sheriff’s office said they were taken two weeks ago from a camera used to record graffiti vandals at an entrance to the spacial Santa Fe Ranch.
State Police will not comment about the pictures or any internal investigation against the officer, saying it is an ongoing personnel matter.
Santa Fe Sheriff Robert A. Garcia said the trooper does not face legal action because even though there may be evidence of a lack of judgment, an actual crime was not committed.
Lack of judgment………… You think?
[Update 8:43 p.m.] A ninth person has died as a result of Hurricane Irene, officials said. A man in Chesterfield County, Virginia, died after a tree fell on his home, emergency officials said.
[Update 8:39 p.m.] The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for metropolitan New York. A tornado watch indicates that conditions are favorable for a tornado to form, according to the National Weather Service. No tornado has yet developed or been reported.
[Update 8:35 p.m.] Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in Boston announces suspension of Sunday services due to Hurricane Irene.
[Update 8:32 p.m.] The Chesapeake Bay Bridge is now closed, the Maryland Transportation Authority said on its website. The bridge will be off-limits until high winds subside, the agency said.
[Update 8:21 p.m.] The Maryland Transit Administration said it was halting all subway and bus services at 9 p.m. Saturday – with light rail transport ending three hours earlier. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel has been closed until further notice, the state’s Emergency Management Agency reported.
[Update 8:00 p.m.] The National Hurricane Center on Saturday warned residents living in tall structures in the path of Hurricane Irene that the wind hitting upper floors will be stronger than those in most storms.
Above from CNN
__________________________________________
7.05pm ET: Time for a summary of the day’s news as Hurricane Irene carved its way up the United States’ Atlantic coast, Saturday:
• At least five fatalities have now been attributed to the storm. Three of these deaths were caused, directly or indirectly, by trees felled by high winds. In Florida, a surfer was killed while attempting to take advantage of the hurricane-powered waves.
• Approximately 1 million Americans – in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and DC – are without electricity. The mayor of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania has warned citizens that outages could last for days, even weeks. As Irene heads north, that number is likely to grow.
• Hundreds of thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate coastal and low-lying areas along the eastern seaboard. As many as 1 million people have left the Jersey shore. In New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has warned that “we are going to break down doors if we have to” to enforce the evacuation.
• Transport has ground to a virtual halt on the east coast. Some 9,000 flights have been cancelled from affected airports. In New York, all public transport has closed down until Monday.
• Despite Irene losing force, downgraded to category 1, storm surges and heavy rains are creating danger of widespread flooding. In northern New England, Vermont’s governor has declared a state of emergency, with flooding predicted in every river in the state.
With that, Matt Seaton is signing off. Matt Wells continues the service shortly. Good night, Irene.
Posting from Guardian
Abandoned beach front houses are surrounded by rising water as the effects of Hurricane Irene are felt in Nags Head on Saturday, August 27, 2011.
SHAWN ROCCO – SROCCO@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Abandoned beach front houses are surrounded by rising water as the effects of Hurricane Irene are felt in Nags Head, N.C., Saturday, Aug. 27, 2011 (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
GERRY BROOME – AP
A sea bird struggles for life in the leeward side of a dune in Frisco Saturday as Hurricane Irene pounds the coast.
CHUCK LIDDY – CLIDDY@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
A rooftop view of flooding damage Saturday, August 27, 2011 in Morehead City. Hurricane Irene, a category 1 storm, is making landfall on the North Carolina coast. TRAVIS LONG- tlong@newsobserver.com
TRAVIS LONG – TLONG@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Jon Harvey checks flooding damage in his garage Saturday, August 27, 2011 in Morehead City. Hurricane Irene, a category 1 storm, is making landfall on the North Carolina coast. TRAVIS LONG- tlong@newsobserver.com
TRAVIS LONG – TLONG@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
A sailboat sits high and dry in the Scott Marina as Hurricane force winds from Irene push the water into the Pamlico Sound Saturday morning.
CHUCK LIDDY – CLIDDY@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Ian Crossman, left, Cody Levy and Christian Van Vliet walk out onto a receded Albemarle Sound in Kill Devil Hills on Saturday, August 27, 2011. The sound had moved out due to the high winds of Hurricane Irene.
SHAWN ROCCO – SROCCO@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Ian Crossman, left, Cody Levy and Christian Van Vliet walk out onto a receded Albemarle Sound in Kill Devil Hills on Saturday, August 27, 2011. The sound had moved out due to the high winds of Hurricane Irene.
SHAWN ROCCO – SROCCO@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Boats sit in an almost empty channel as Hurricane Irene pushes the water out in to Albemarle Sound in Nags Head on Saturday, August 27, 2011.
SHAWN ROCCO – SROCCO@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Boats sit high and dry in the Scott Marina as Hurricane force winds from Irene push the water into the Pamlico Sound Saturday morning.
CHUCK LIDDY – CLIDDY@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
A vehicle avoids a downed utility pole on Woodlawn St. as Hurricane Irene hits Greenville, N.C. on Aug. 27, 2011.
CHRIS SEWARD – CSEWARD@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
This gas station convenience store in Avon lost it’s canopy as Hurricane Irene arrived Saturday morning.
CHUCK LIDDY – CLIDDY@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Waters lap at the foundation of a house along Calico Creek Saturday, August 27, 2011 in Morehead City. Hurricane Irene, a category 1 storm, is making landfall on the North Carolina coast. TRAVIS LONG- tlong@newsobserver.com
TRAVIS LONG – TLONG@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Smithfield Firefighters inspect the damage to Smithfield House at the intersection of Buffalo and Hospital Roads on Saturday afternoon after winds from Hurricane Irene pushed two trees on the building on Saturday August 27, 2011 in Smithfield, N.C.
ROBERT WILLETT – RWILLETT@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
A personal message to Hurricane Irene at the Nags Head Ocean Rescue building on Friday, August 26, 2011.
SHAWN ROCCO – SROCCO@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
A personal message to Hurricane Irene on a Nags Head House on Friday, August 26, 2011.
SHAWN ROCCO – SROCCO@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
All photos from News Observer
I firmly believe each and everyone of us has a choice of our freedom of religion. However, our country was founded on the separation of church and state. When mixing politics and religion, one is only opening up a whole new can of worms. The religious background of any political leader will differ from a significant percentage of the citizens of their country. Therefore, how can one impose their own religious views upon those of others which vary? More…
(CBS News)
A lawyer for Damien Echols – one of the so-called West Memphis 3 freed from death row in Arkansas – said his client celebrated his first night of freedom in 18 years.
Steven Braga, the attorney for Damien Echols, told “The Early Show on Saturday Morning” that his client’s first night of freedom was “unbelievable.”
He described a celebration last night Echols and James Baldwin, shared with supporters in Memphis: “It was as if you could see two little 5-year-old kids at their first Christmas. They were trying food they had never seen before, they were fascinated by a cell phone, more fascinated by an iPhone and then the idea you could take pictures with an iPhone totally blew them away, so they were taking a lot of pictures.”
CBS Affiliate WREG reports that the third freed man, Jesse Misskelley, opted to celebrate with family Friday.
Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley were teenagers in 1994 when they were convicted of killing three eight-year-old boys – Steve Branch, Christopher Byers and Michael Moore.
Investigators in this rural community believed that the teenagers (who wore black and listened to heavy metal music) killed the children as part of a satanic ritual. Echols was sentenced to death; Baldwin and Misskelly both got life in prison.
Over the years doubts emerged about their guilt and several celebrities pushed to have them set free, reports “48 Hours” correspondent Erin Moriarty. DNA evidence has been recovered at the scene, none of it linking the accused to the crime.
Baldwin almost turned down the deal that freed him and the others from prison yesterday, but it wasn’t just about him. The highly unusual plea agreement meant that his friend Echols – on death row for 17 years – would get his life back.
“Still very much in shock, still overwhelmed,” said Echols Friday.
Their freedom comes at a high price: Under the agreement, known as an Alford plea, the men who still say they are innocent had to plead guilty to murder.
“‘We’ll let you go only if you admit guilt,’” Baldwin described it. “That’s not justice, no matter how you look at it.
Many of the toughest sentencing laws responsible for the explosion of the U.S. prison population were drafted by the American Legislative Exchange Council, which helps corporations write model legislation. Now a new exposé reveals ALEC has paved the way for states and corporations to replace unionized workers with prison labor. We speak with Mike Elk, contributing labor reporter at The Nation magazine. He says ALEC and private prison companies “put a mass amount of people in jail, and then they created a situation where they could exploit that.” Elk notes that in 2005 more than 14 million pounds of beef infected with rat feces processed by inmates were not recalled, in order to avoid drawing attention to how many products are made by prison labor. More…
Interesting.
Is this what it will take to get our elected officials to listen to the people? It is known that a significant percentage of the GOP’s – and to be fair, many Democrats – listen to the lobbyists and those with the large bank accounts, such as the Koch Brothers. They no longer listen to the majority. Amongst many issues at hand, the people wanted the tax loopholes and large corporation tax shelters to be changed… this did not happen. This only goes to show that those with the money are the true rulers of our government and country.
President Obama signed legislation on Tuesday that raises the nation’s debt ceiling and cuts trillions of dollars in spending. Keith speaks with former Vice President and Current TV Chairman Al Gore about what’s next for the country.
On Saturday, July 16th, a ban went into effect at McDain’s Restaurant in Monroeville PA… no children allowed under 6 years of age.
I do not believe that the owner, Mike Vuick, expected such a response from the media and public. The ban made national headlines. Vuick says he’s done 62 interviews, and has attracted attention from as far away as Australia.
From the thousands of emails he has received, most decidely he has received 11 to 1 in favor of the ban. A local new channel took a poll and found that 64% supported the under-six ban, compared with 26% who said it was a bad idea
I must say, I support this as well.
I have nothing against children, but when I am out for a nice, peaceful dinner… I want a nice, PEACEFUL dinner. I understand there are many parents who have wonderfully well-behaved children. Sadly, though, this does not appear to be the norm anymore. Cheerios fly, waters glasses are tipped, boredom sets in and the young ones wander only to start running due to endless energy young children have (or possibly from a sugar-high). Unfortunately, a significant percentage of parents chose to ignore their childrens misbehavior. Possibly they have simply learned to tolerate the din – or ignore out of concern from what others will think. Many parents now live in fear that any type of serious correction to their children will be seen as some sort of abuse….
Times they are a-changin’. More accurately, they have changed. I fall into the tail end of the baby-boomers, and as a child when I when I would go out for a nice dinner with my parents, I honestly do not remember other children screaming and running around – nor myself for that matter. In fact, I had to sit quietly and behave – otherwise the wrath of my father would fall down on me like Thor’s Hammer. I recall one incident – which was NEVER repeated even remotely close – back when I was not much more than 6 years old myself.
We were at a fine dining seafood restaurant in Florida while on vacation. I ordered milk when my parents ordered their pre-dinner cocktails. Time came and went. No milk. Dinner was brought to the table. No milk. My father then kindly reminded our server she had forgotten my milk…. to which I quickly chimed in, “What do you have to do… go milk a cow?”
My father turned into a steam mill and was redder than the lobster on the table. Faster than lightning, out came a hand straight across my face. That’s the way it was done then. It was not abuse… it was a parent correcting their smart-ass child for rude and inappropriate behavior. I never misbehaved while out for dinner ever again.
Times they are a-changin’.
Mike Cannon, a high-security scientist from the Los Alamos National Labs, has been missing since June 25th, the day before the Las Conchas fire started just outside of Los Alamos, New Mexico. Mr Cannon went out for a hike this day.
Mike has worked with such organizations as the CIA. He left without his wallet and cell phone – which he has been known to leave behind when he did not want to be disturbed while hiking. He did make some unusual purchases the day before he left for his hike, including several suits from Mens Warehouse, and a gun. He does enjoy target shooting, so this is not considered abnormal for him.
Mike was last seen near Rover Park in White Rock, New Mexico. He was wearing blue jeans and a button-down shirt. He may be riding an old silver Schwinn bicycle, red helmet, and carrying a blue backpack.
Mike is 66 years old, weighs about 160 pounds, is 5′ 9″ tall, hazel eyes, glasses, and white hair with a receding hairline.
His family has asked any information to be emailed to findmikecannon@gmail.com.
Los Alamos residents start returning home after evacuations lifted on Sunday morning. All normal access points to the town are now open with the following exceptions: SR 4 remains closed west of Monterey Drive South and all access points to the Jemez Mountains remain closed.
Because the fire is not completely contained, wildfire and burnout operations will continue to produce heavy smoke.
Investigators believe the fire started after an aspen tree was blown down onto nearby power lines during a period of strong winds. The contact resulted in the line arcing, which then caused the tree to catch fire. Heat and flame caused the line to snap, which then allowed the burning tree to fall onto the ground where the fire spread into nearby vegetation.
Investigators from New Mexico State Forestry, the USDA Forest Service, New Mexico State Police and Sandoval County conducted the investigation and were on scene shortly after the fire started on Sunday, June 26. Since then, the fire has burned more than 121,248 acres. Containment currently at 11%.
Welcome home, Los Alamos.
And a special thanks to all the firefights who helped keep the town safe.
Comic Source: mattbors.com
It is sad day when a man chooses to rob a bank in order to go to prison to receive health care
Amazing collection of dramatic photos from NM and AZ fires.
A firefighter walks through heavy smoke near the Los Alamos fire, June 29, 2011 JAE C. HONG AP
Flames from the Las Conchas fire burn in the hills above Los Alamos National Laboratory, a nuclear facility June 27, 2011 JAE C. HONG AP
The Las Conchas fire burns near the Valles Caldera National Preserve near Los Alamos, New Mexico, June 27, 2011 EDDIE MOORE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL ZUMAPRESS
Los Alamos, New Mexico, June 29, 2011 JAE C. HONG AP
Hotshot crew members prepare to work in the Pajarito Mountain ski area, June 28, 2011 JAE C. HONG AP
Flames consume vegetation on the Jemez Mountains, near Los Alamos, New Mexico, June 28, 2011 EDDIE MOORE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL ZUMAPRESS
Los Alamos residents leave the area on June 27, 2011, as the Las Conchas fire encroaches on the city ADOLPHE PIERRE-LOUIS ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL ZUMA PRESS
The sun shines through smoke from the Las Conchas fire burning near Los Alamos, N.M., on June 27, 2011 SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN AP
A slurry bomber flies over the Pacheco Canyon fire as it burns north of Santa Fe, N.M., on June 18, 2011 EDDIE MOORE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL ZUMAPRESS
A burned structure is seen north of Raton, N.M., on June 16, 2011 RICK BOWMER AP
A sky crane near Luna, N.M., fills up with a fire retardant on June 14, 2011 Matt York AP
Fire officials look over a map of the Wallow wildfire in Eagar, Ariz., on June 22, 2011 JOSHUA LOTT THE NEW YORK TIMES
Smoke from the Pacheco Canyon wildfire rises behind the Buffalo Thunder Casino, Pojoaque NM, June 19, 2011 BRIAN SNYDER REUTERS
These tents in Eagar, Ariz., provide an incident command center as well as a place for firefighters to sleep MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ AP
A firefighter does battle with the Wallow fire in Nutrioso, Ariz., on June 10, 2011 MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ AP
Fire-crew members sharpen their tools as they prepare for a back-burn operation to slow the spread of the Wallow fire JAE C. HONG AP
Smoke rises around the Lee Valley recreational area on June 12, 2011, as the Wallow fire continues to burn in Big Lake, AZ KEVORK DJANSEZIAN GETTY IMAGES
The sun sets behind smoke from the Wallow fire Luna, NM, June 13, 2011 Matt York AP
A roadside in Springerville, Ariz., on June 8, 2011 ERIC THAYER GETTY IMAGES
Emily Shupe comforts her 18-month-old son Jax as the family prepares to evacuate to Phoenix from Springerville, Ariz., on June 7, 2011 MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ AP
Firefighters sleep between trucks at the command post for the Wallow fire in Springerville, Ariz., on June 8, 2011 ERIC THAYER GETTY IMAGES
Police officers direct cars as residents leave Springerville, Ariz., on June 7, 2011 JOSHUA LOTT REUTERS
The fire fills the sky behind Robert Joseph, 64, Luna NM, June 6, 2011 JAE C. HONG AP
Nearly 104,000 acres have been scorched as of this afternoon, July 1st, 2011. Containment is only 3%. Las Conchas Fire is now considered the largest in New Mexico history, and still growing. Santa Clara Pueblo is hard hit, and their vital watershed is not nothing but flames. Los Alamos National Labs have remained untouched – but considering the labs have been their since WWII… who knows what was buried in the canyons and mountains in decades past when radioactive waste disposal was not what it is today. After all… this is the birthplace of the A-Bomb which was dropped on Nagaski and Hiroshima….
Below are pictures I just took this evening from the north side of Albuquerque, approximately 60 miles as the crow flies to the fires.
Truly devastating.
Click on a picture below to enlarge, then continue to scroll through by clicking on the picture.
Apparently the city of Albuquerque will not ban fireworks due to a fear of possible civil lawsuits. How asinine is this? New Mexico is in the the worst drought in recorded history… and the city is worried about law suits?
How about this… when we lose numerous homes due to a careless firecracker, those homeowners who lost their homes should sue the city for NOT banning fireworks.
Since the city will not ban fireworks (is there money under the table here???)… then here is my personal plea to all… please, wait until next year. Wait until the monsoons have passed, and hopefully rehydrated the state…. then set your fireworks off.
I am not anti-fireworks… I grew up with a family that had annual firework extravaganzas every Fourth in our rural Indiana fields. Love them! But I favor keeping our Bosque, keeping our National Forests, and keeping our homes over fireworks any day.
The fireworks can wait.
Here is my little video pleading no fireworks. The footage of the Bosque here in Albuquerque I took today. Below the video is an update on the Las Conchas Fire, and new photos from Los Alamos National Lab’s photostream on Flickr.
Date Started: 1 p.m., 6/26/2011
Number of Personnel: Approximately 752 personnel including seven hotshot crews and 14 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.
Cause: Unknown – under investigation
Equipment: Four dozers and 28 engines
Size: approximately 92,735 acres
Aircraft: Five helicopters
Percent Contained: 3%
Residences: 13 destroyed and 3 damaged
Commercial Property: 3 damaged
Other structures: 2 destroyed
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.
“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.”
Nevertheless, 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.
The wildfire has destroyed 30 structures south and west of Los Alamos, for many stirring memories of a devastating blaze in May 2000 that destroyed hundreds of homes and buildings in town.
Flames were just across the road from the southern edge of the famed lab, where scientists developed the first atomic bomb during World War II. The facility cut natural gas to some areas as a precaution.
The lab, which employs about 15,000 people, covers more than 36 square miles and includes about 2,000 buildings at nearly four dozen sites. They include research facilities, as well as waste disposal sites. Some facilities, including the administration building, are in the community of Los Alamos, while others are several miles away from the town.
The spot fire scorched a section known as Tech Area 49, which was used in the early 1960s for a series of underground tests with high explosives and radioactive materials.
Lab spokesman Kevin Roark said environmental specialists were monitoring air quality, but the main concern was smoke.
The anti-nuclear watchdog group Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety said the fire appeared to be about 3.5 miles from a dumpsite where as many as 30,000 55-gallon drums of plutonium-contaminated waste were stored in fabric tents above ground. The group said the drums were awaiting transport to a dump site in southern New Mexico.
“The concern is that these drums will get so hot that they’ll burst. That would put this toxic material into the plume. It’s a concern for everybody,” said Joni Arends, executive director of the group.
Arends’ group also worried that the fire could stir up nuclear-contaminated soil on lab property where experiments were conducted years ago. Over the years, burrowing animals have brought that contamination to the surface, she said.
Lab officials at first declined to confirm that such drums were on the property but, in a statement early Tuesday, lab spokeswoman Lisa Rosendorf said such drums are stored in a section of the complex known as Area G. She said the drums contain cleanup from Cold War-era waste that the lab sends away in weekly shipments to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.
She said the drums were on a paved area with few trees nearby and would be safe even if a fire reached the storage area.
Los Alamos National Lab was established during the Second World War as part of the Manhattan Project to develop the first atomic bomb.
“The hair on the back of your neck goes up,” Los Alamos County fire chief Doug Tucker said of first seeing the fire in the Santa Fe National Forest on Sunday. “I saw that plume and I thought, ‘Oh my god here we go again.’”
Source: MSNBC
Las Conchas Fire Update – June 28, 2011, 11:30 am
Posted on June 28, 2011 by npsnmfireinfo
Fire Information: 505-428-7735 or 505-216-2685 (Daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
Website Info: http://www.inciweb.org or http://www.nmfireinfo.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/T1SWIMT
Date Started: 1 p.m., 6/26/2011 Number of Personnel: Approximately 315. Resources include two hotshot crews and nine hand crews. An Area Command Team and an additional Type I Incident Management Team have been assigned to the fire.
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.
Cause: Unknown – under investigation Equipment: Five dozers and 13 engines
Size: 60,741 acres based on infrared data Aircraft: Seven helicopters
Percent Contained: 0%
Media should call (505) 428-7739 to coordinate interviews.
For information regarding evacuations or information regarding the Los Alamos National Laboratory, please call 505-820-1226.
A public meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., Wednesday, June 29, at the Madonna Parish Hall in Jemez Springs, off Hwy 4 between mile marker 15 and 16.
East – Crews are working to protect structures near Bandelier, as well as working to contain the fire along the Frijole Canyon.
West – Crews are building direct lines to prevent fire movement to the west.
Northeast – Crews are working to contain the fire using burnout methods to prevent the fire from spreading north of Pajarito Road and east of Highway 501.
South – North of Cochiti fire progression is being slowed by lighter fuel types. Firefighters are evaluating methods to stop the fire from spreading south.
City of Los Alamos – The acting Los Alamos County Administrator issued an evacuation order for the city of Los Alamos. The Cities of Gold hotel in Pojoaque is offering shelter services for evacuating residents of Los Alamos. Los Alamos evacuees are advised against sheltering in White Rock, although White Rock is not at risk. White Rock is currently under a voluntary evacuation.
If you live near the fire or near the Forest, you should always be ready for emergencies including evacuations, the three-step process is easy to remember and implement:
• Ready – Take personal responsibility and prepare before the threat of a wildland fire so your home is ready in case of a fire. Create defensible space by clearing brush away from your home. Use fire-resistant landscaping and harden your home with fire-safe construction measures. Assemble emergency supplies and belongings in a safe spot. Plan escapes routes. Make sure all those residing within the home know the plan of action.
• Set – Act immediately. Pack your vehicle with your emergency items. Remember your six P’s: people, personal computers, pets, pills, papers and pictures. Stay aware of the latest news and information on the fire from local media and your local fire department
• Go – Leave early! Follow your personal action plan. Doing so will not only support your safety, but will allow firefighters to best maneuver resources to combat the fire.
Closures
NM 4 is closed at Jemez Falls Campground and at NM 501. NM 502 westbound into Los Alamos is now closed to all motorists. Access is controlled and limited to official traffic until further notification.
Los Alamos National Labs: The Los Alamos National Laboratory will be closed due to the fire. All laboratory facilities will be closed for all activities, and nonessential employees are directed to remain off site. Employees that are considered nonessential should not report to work unless specifically directed by their line managers. Employees should check local news sources, the LANL Update Hotline (505) 667-6622 and the LANL web page http://www.lanl.gov for updates. All radioactive and hazardous material is appropriately accounted for and protected. LANL staff is coordinating the on-site response and supporting the county and federal fire response.
The wildfire and burnout operations will continue to produce heavy smoke. Residents with respiratory problems in the path of smoke may want to consider relocating temporarily until smoke dissipates. Motorists should exercise caution due to reduced visibility.
(below) Google Earth Active Fire Mapping: Los Alamos snapshot 062811
(below) Google Earth Active Fire Mapping: New Mexico snapshot 062811
(below) Geomac.gov
LOS ALAMOS, N.M., June 28 (UPI) — Residents were ordered to evacuate Los Alamos, N.M., as an out-of-control wildfire was at the town’s edge and buffeted the secretive U.S. military nuclear lab.
A Los Alamos National Laboratory spokesman said the blaze, at the facility’s southern boundary, remained a few miles from key structures on the 25,600-acre property.
Nuclear and other hazardous materials were in safe storage deep inside vaults within concrete and steel buildings, Kevin Roark told the Alibi newspaper of Albuquerque.
The lab would not comment on a Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety allegation that the wildfire was about 3 miles from a nuclear dumpsite containing tens of thousands of 55-gallon drums of plutonium-contaminated waste.
The anti-nuclear watchdog group’s Web site appeared hacked early Tuesday morning, a United Press International check indicated. Its Facebook page had six messages from people alerting the group of the possible hacking, including a message commenting on the timing of the incident happening “just as the fires started.”
The wildfire, which began Sunday and exceeded 50,000 acres, or 78 square miles, early Tuesday, destroyed at least 30 homes and outbuildings south and west of Los Alamos, fire officials said.
“We don’t have a hard number,” Los Alamos Assistant Fire Chief Mike Thompson told the Albuquerque Journal.
Officials planned a flyover Tuesday morning to assess its scope.
The fire — whose flames and smoke could be seen from Albuquerque, about 80 miles south — caused erosion and runoff, with contaminants threatening the Rio Grande, officials said.
Roark told the Alibi, “There were not appreciable levels of radioactivity in the runoff.”
After the Cerro Grande fire in 2000, which devastated Los Alamos and changed firefighting policies and strategies all across the West, the lab installed structures to prevent heavy runoff, he said.
Some residents evacuating the town were “calm and other people are really frantic,” Sheila Luna told the Santa Fe New Mexican.
“The Conoco gas station ran out of gas last night, and at the next gas station I waited for 15 minutes before I could get the car filled up,” she said. “That part was kind of scary to me.”
Source: UPI
Please, everyone in New Mexico… BOYCOTT ALL FIREWORKS THIS YEAR!
Fires are erupting all over the state, no rain in site.
Page on Facebook in support of this boycott (must be logged into FB): Click here
A mandatory evacuation for the City of Los Alamos is in effect Monday (June 27) as the Las Conchas wildfire threatens the area.
Eletha Trujillo with the Taos County Office of Emergency Management said the primary health concern for Taos County residents was the smoke from the fire that has settled in the area.
Trujillo said the forecast tonight is for cooler temperatures and calming winds, meaning Taoseños might wake up to especially smoky conditions tomorrow (June 28). She recommended that people with health conditions stay indoors and asked that drivers be especially cautious because of limited visability.
Trujillo said that she did not perceive any risk of radiation in the smoke from Los Alamos. Officials at the labs have insisted that all radioactive materials are safely stored and do not pose a threat. A spokesman from the lab could not immediately be reached for comment.
According to a Monday afternoon incident update on the fire, it had grown to nearly 44,000 acres and was 0 percent contained. The Los Alamos National Labs (LANL) were also closed to nonessential personnel Monday.
According to information from Los Alamos County, the evacuation of three areas was taking place Monday, with the groups being notified by “reverse 911.”
Group one includes Western, Quemazon and Ponderosa; group two includes North Community, Barranca Mesa and North Mesa; and group three includes East of Diamond and the rest of the town. Evacuees were urged not to go to White Rock in case that area is evacuated, as well.
Transportation is available for those who call (505) 661-7433. The Big Rock Santa Claran Event Center was opened as a shelter.
Campgrounds near the fire were evacuated Sunday (June 26).
Las Conchas fire started Sunday afternoon on private land near the Jemez Ranger District in the Santa Fe National Forest, about 3 miles south of Los Alamos. Structures and power lines were threatened, but according to the incident update, “all radioactive material is appropriately accounted for and protected.”
For more information and updates, call (505) 667-6622 or visit www.lanl.gov
Source: Taos News
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Below: Los Alamos, Los Conchas Fire
Below: Jemez Mountains, recently taken
Below: South of Belen, taken Sunday, June 26, 2011
