Mandatory Los Alamos Evac Now

If you live in Los Alamos, New Mexico, and you have not seen this news: Please go to this link at NMFireinfo dot wordpress dot com. Beginning at 1:45 p.m. Mountain Time evacuation was beginning to occur in this order:

Group 1: Western, Quemazon, Ponderosa; Group 2: North Community, Barranca Mesa, North Mesa; Group 3: East of Diamond and the remainder of the town site. White Rock is NOT being evacuated at this time. Residents in Los Alamos should NOT go to White Rock to stay in case it is later evacuated.

Residents are urged to prepare now to be ready to go when their Group is called using Reverse 911. The best sources of information about Group releases for the evacuation will continue to be through news outlets. The County is first evacuating those residents who are the closest to the immediate threat of fire. Residents should wait for the automated Reverse 911 phone call. Once called, proceed in an orderly fashion to police control points and follow any additional instructions to safely leave the County. National Guard and State Police will be assisting with the evacuation process.

Residents in Los Alamos in the Downtown, North Community, Quemazon, Eastern, and Western areas use either the Truck Route (East Jemez Rd) or Trinity Drive to NM502. Royal Crest residents would use the Truck Route to SR 4 to NM502. Residents on the mesas (North Mesa, Barranca Mesa) use the graded road in the bottom of Rendija Canyon, the same emergency route used during the Cerro Grande Fire in May 2000. The road has been graded today and the gate through San Ildefonso property to NM 502 is open. Take only your most essential belongings, including medication and pets. Large vehicles such as RVs should not attempt to use the road through Rendija Canyon due to the low water crossings in the road.

Espanola Valley Humane Society is also seeking volunteers to make donations and/or help foster pets for displaced homeowners. Here is some information on that:

Right now what we need most are donations of dry food, non-clumping cat litter, bowls (paper bowls are great, all other kinds work well too), crates, cat litter boxes and towels. Cash donations are much appreciated as well, as we will be microchipping, collaring, feeding and housing far more animals than we normally would. Depending on the situation, we may need round-the-clock staff as well, in order to best manage intakes. Donations can be made online at http://www.evalleyshelter.org/donate/or by mailing a check to Espanola Valley Humane Society, 108 Hamm Parkway, Espanola NM 87532.

If you are able to foster an animal, please send an email to EVHSNina@gmail.com.