Under the plume

We spent most of yesterday under the plume.  This plume was so large yesterday that even in Santa Fe we were not out from under it.  Here are a few photos taken on our way to run errands in Santa Fe.  The first is from 501 just on the east side of the Rio Grande.  This is usually a beautiful view of the Jemez Mountains.  Now it looks like this:

 And turning north from the same spot towards Black Mesa, it looked like this:

Returning home late last evening, however, we were met by the mountains on fire in the dark. I didn't think my camera would do justice to the sight.  There were spot fires in the ridges above Los Alamos, and a big bright spot to the south whoich must have been either Frijoles or Cochiti canyons. But to the north of Los Alamos, Santa Clara was burning in ridge after ridge, the fire bright from the top ridges to the valley floor. So fire from south to north, pretty much as far as one could see looking west. It was a heart-breaking sight.

And here are a few sobering numbers from the 1 a.m. update:

• 113,734 acres 
• Approximately 1,632 personnel including 41 handcrews
• Percent Contained: 6%  

Pray for the brave men and women on the fire lines. No loss of life yet, though over 60 houses are lost, and more than 30 outbuildings and businesses, with many more still threatened. And pray for cool temperatures, low winds, and rain.