Mounted search and rescue

[una.smith@att.net]

Everything is cool.  I started this thread after reaching our safe location.  Here we have a landline phone and DSL, but no cell coverage, so I am making only essential calls.  This Las Conchas wildfire grew much faster than the catastrophic Cerro Grande wildfire in 2000 and due to the severe drought this year Las Conchas has far higher risk of spotting (ie, new fires started by burning debris that is blown as far as 0.5 or even 1 mile down wind).  However, after Cerro Grande the Los Alamos townsite has been made far more defensible against fire, on every level.  Infrastructure is better, houses are more fire resistant with more defensible space around them, properties have less fuels and less clutter, and residents are more prepared to evacuate.  Previously many houses had wood siding and roofing.  Now many have stucco siding and metal or fiberglass or slate roofing.

The few horses remaining in Los Alamos are being looked after and are in an area with scant fuels.  The area is bordered by two canyons with heavy vegetation on steep side walls, which does present a risk of severe smoke conditions in the event those canyons burn.  However, the area is 2 miles east of the west edge of town and the fire is west of town.  In retrospect it would have been better to evacuate all the horses out so that no one would feel compelled to remain in Los Alamos to look after them.

Few people believed another wildfire here could be this bad.  I was one of those who believed, and I planned and prepared for it, but I did not expect it to actually happen.

Una Smith
New Mexico