One year after the massive Los Conchas fire scorched more than 240 square miles in northern New Mexico, threatening the town of Los Alamos and its premier nuclear facility, federal officials have announced plans to build a permanent Interagency Fire Center in the heart of the area's fire country.
The National Nuclear Security Administration, Bandelier National Monument and the Santa Fe National Forest say they are building a 6,400 square-foot facility to serve as a joint coordination and response center. They say the $3 million building will significantly enhance the current fire-fighting capacities of all the agencies.
Kevin Smith, manager for the NNSA's Los Alamos Site Office, says having a permanent facility dedicated to fighting wildland fires is a huge asset for the entire region.