BRUSH FIRE OUT OF CONTROL NEAR LOS ALAMOS

http://www.sierratimes.com/arsl01050800.htm

New Mexico - A decision by the 'authorities' in northern New Mexico to start a 'Controlled Burn' near Bandolier Monument in the midst of the spring high-wind season was apparently a bad mistake. The controlled burn almost immediately burned out of control. The western end of the city of Los Alamos has been evacuated. The infamous Los Alamos National Laboratory is threatened. Explosions have already been reported coming from the Lab's property. There are two separate wildfires and the number of evacuated is reported to be in the hundreds.

Up to 1000 acres had burned by Sunday evening and the fire had moved close the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The laboratory had not been evacuated at that point and any nuclear elements at the lab were not in danger, but explosions at the property were reported by other live media reports.

Evacuees were being sent to a nearby church. For information on any relative who may have been evacuated, call (505) 661-4550.

The smoke from the fire could be scene for miles across the New Mexico sky - so thick that it was seen on a local Albuquerque television station's radar, thus raising the possibilities of toxic substances escaping into the atmosphere due to the nature of classified projects at Los Alamos. The authorities insist, however, the Lab is in no danger at the time of this report (23:00PT), even though television reports show burning ash falling in Los Alamos.

Battling this beast will be about 200 firefighters, six choppers and three anti-fire carpet bombers. Since it's so dry, this one will be burning for a while.

The second fire, named "Cree," has turned two mobile homes and two more that are under construction into charcoal. Here's who's been cleared out so far: Ruidoso, Fawn Ridge, Homestead Acres, Lower Eagle Creek, Pines, Gavilan and Shangrila.

Gavilan Canyon Road and U.S. Forest Road 120 are closed due to the blaze. The communities of Rancho Ruidoso and Alto were placed on alert status, meaning residents should be ready to evacuate at any time.

Sierra Times will stay with the breaking story as it develops.