Cerro Grande Fire - Timeline

Timeline

• 4 May 2000 Prescribed burn was begun in the late evening.
• 5 May 2000 Control lines were burned through on east side during late morning. Wildland fire declared in early afternoon and a Type 3 incident command established for fire suppression.
• 6 May 2000 Fire line constructed using pre-existing control lines.
• 7 May 2000 Fire behavior became increasingly erratic with spotting by noon.
• 8 May 2000 A Type 1 incident management team assumed command in the early morning. Los Alamos National Laboratory closed until further notice.
• 10 May 2000 The town of Los Alamos was evacuated at noon. That evening, 235 homes in Los Alamos were destroyed.
• 11 May 2000 The nearby community of White Rock was evacuated shortly after midnight, including many evacuees from Los Alamos.
• 15 May 2000 Evacuation order was lifted.
• 18 May 2000 Los Alamos residents were allowed to return.
• 22 May 2000 Los Alamos National Laboratory began phased reopening.
• 6 June 2000 Cerro Grande fire was declared contained.
• 20 July 2000 Cerro Grande fire was declared extinguished.

• Sunday: May 7, 2000

• Monday: May 8, 2000

• Tuesday: May 9, 2000

• Wednesday: May 10, 2000

• Thursday: May 11, 2000

• Friday: May 12-19, 2000