Sacred Reservation A wind-battered American flag flies over the Los Alamos Municipal Annex amid smoke from the Cerro Grande fire. Click on the photo to see more images from fire-ravaged Los Alamos. With wind gusts up to 50 mph expected Tuesday, firefighters raced today to save a sacred Pueblo reservation from the fire that has raged in New Mexico for nearly two weeks.
Firefighters continue to battle the mighty blaze.
According to midday estimates, the fire has consumed 44,323 acres and was ravaging the 47,000 acre canyon on the edge of the Santa Clara Pueblo reservation. It is somewhat devastating to each and every one of us. Aware of what the land means to the residents on the reservation, firefighters were clearing away brush that is fueling the fire, hoping that wind conditions would cooperate and they would be able to protect the sacred lands. Fire Though 28 percent of the fire had been contained and the blaze was moving away from Los Alamos, fire officials were racing against the strong winds predicted to return Tuesday. Approximately 80 percent of Los Alamos has been ravaged by flames.