Aid teams visit burned-out Los Alamos

Residents get advice on how to get help

May 24, 2000
Web posted at: 3:51 p.m. EDT (1951 GMT)

LOS ALAMOS, New Mexico (CNN) -- As a disastrous New Mexico wildfire neared full containment Wednesday, federal emergency teams were going door to door in burned-out neighborhoods advising fire victims how to get federal help.

"People don't always know they're eligible for funding," said Eugene Brezany, a spokesman for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

FEMA had six teams in Los Alamos, where a May 4 controlled burn started by the National Park Service to clear brush leaped out of control when winds kicked up.

GALLERY Fires blaze through Los Alamos, New Mexico     WEATHER FORECAST Los Alamos, New Mexico     MESSAGE BOARD Nature's wrath

The Cerro Grande Fire, as it's called, destroyed or damaged more than 400 homes, apartments and other structures and forced 20,000 evacuations in northern New Mexico. Nearly 50,000 acres (78 square miles) burned.

The two-person FEMA teams met Tuesday with more than 100 families, informing them how to apply for state and federal assistance that may cover what their insurance doesn't. "If there is a shortfall, then we can help them," Brezany said.

In areas where no one was present, the crews left printed material in mailboxes or other easy-to-find locations.

As of Tuesday, fire officials said the wildfire was about 95 percent contained. They're hoping to have it completely extinguished by Sunday night.

Full containment of wildfire that torched Los Alamos expected Wednesday
May 23, 2000
EPA: Data indicates no fire-unleashed radiation at Los Alamos
May 19, 2000
End may be in sight for Los Alamos blaze
May 19, 2000
Mistakes by federal officials allowed 'controlled burn' to become raging Los Alamos wildfire, report says
May 18, 2000

FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency
  • National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
  • EPA's Decision on New Air Quality Standards
USDA Forest Service
ParkNet: Gateway to the National Park Service
  • Bandelier National Monument
  • Grand Canyon National Park
Los Alamos County
  • Fire Department
Welcome to New Mexico
  • Governor Johnson's Home Page
Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • Newsbulletin: Fire danger
American Red Cross
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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