Smoke from a small fire in Los Alamos Canyon can be seen from tNM 502 across from Pajarito Cliffs Site. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Los Alamos Fire Department vehicles are parked at the bottom of Los Alamos Canyon between TA-53 and the Canyon Rim Trailhead across from Pajarito Acres. LAFD personnel are accessing the area from the White Rock side. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com

A small fire in Los Alamos Canyon below Los Alamos National Laboratoty Technical Area 53 has burned three to five acres.

Some 25 Los Alamos Fire Department personnel are on the scene and are divided into two divisions – east and west. Deputy Fire Chief Steve DaWalt and Wildland Fire Chief Kelly Sterna are among those on the scene along with firefighters from several LAFD stations.

LAFD officials say the fire is not crowning and not running but is heading east along the canyon. Containment was unknown as of 5 p.m. Crews are expected to alternate with incoming personnel.

TA-53 was reportedly evacuated as soon as LAFD responded. Chainsaws could be heard from across the canyon at the Canyon Rim Trail as crews cleared out areas of fuel.

High winds in the area were affecting the ifre.