The Cerro Pelado fire in the Jemez Mountains did not change significantly over night; it remains at about 3,445 acres and is approximately 10 miles from Laboratory property.
A Type 1 incident management team took control of the fire Sunday morning, significantly expanding the number of firefighting personnel on the scene to control its spread. Favorable weather conditions are expected today, which should enable three helicopters and one fixed wing aircraft to complete numerous fire retardant drops as well as regular water drops.
New Mexico State Road 4 remains closed at the intersection of West Jemez Road to the intersection of highway 126 (from mile marker 50 to 30).
Los Alamos County and the Laboratory are implementing Stage 2 fire restrictions beginning Monday, which will prohibit outdoor burning and some work activities.
The Laboratory, Los Alamos County and NNSA Field Office continue to monitor the fire as a unified response and will continue to provide regular updates. Emergency operations managers from Los Alamos and Sandoval counties are drawing on the technical expertise of the Laboratory and NNSA, as well as that of the Los Alamos County Fire Department. LA County Fire Chief Troy Hughes said this will have no negative impact on LAFD’s ability to respond to county or LANL calls.
For further information specific to the fire, check US Forest Service website.