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Las Conchas brush fire

Story by kob.com NEW MEXICO One thousand firefighters set out Wednesday morning to battle the Las Conchas fire, which started Sunday and has burned close to 69,000 acres. According to Los Alamos Fire Chief Doug Tucker, the part of the massive fire closest to Los Alamos is moving north, away from the town. Chief Tucker is confident that homes in Los Alamos will be spared from the fire and if there is a chance for fire spotting, the crews are prepared to take action. New Mexico State Police and National Guardsmen have also been on hand assisting with the evacuations and ensuring that the homes left behind by evacuees are protected. Chief Tucker also stated that he is confident that the buffer created around the Los Alamos National Laboratory is holding up and is large enough to protect the labs from any damage. Lab officials announced that LANL will remain closed through Friday, July 1. Preliminary results of air samples from an air quality test Wednesday morning showed no radio activity in smoke. The samples were taken from the southern, northern and eastern areas of LANL by seven high volume air samplers, outfitted with sensors that collected detailed chemical and radiological air samples. Governor Susana Martinez participated in a press conference Wednesday afternoon assuring the public that all resources available are being used to fight the massive Las Conchas blaze burning near Los Alamos. A state of emergency was declared by Martinez Wednesday regarding the use of fireworks. State Rep. Al Park (D) Albuquerque, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee has stated that he will sponsor a bill to ban fireworks, which has already been backed up by Governor Martinez and Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry. Meanwhile, Governor Martinez is asking New Mexicans who wish to view fireworks on Independence Day, to attend an organized display that is supported by a city or county. Martinez asked anyone who is wondering how they can help to contact their local Red Cross and Salvation Army. These organizations are best equipped to spread the resources to the areas that need it.