BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com

The Los Alamos County phone notification has announced that due to the Cerro Pelado Fire, Los Alamos County and Los Alamos National Laboratory will move to the “set” phase of evacuation readiness at 8 a.m. Monday, May 9.

“Remember this can change at a moment’s notice,” the message concludes.

Los Alamos Public Schools sent an email to parents announcing that “out of an abundance of caution” schools will be closed May 9-13 to ensure students and staff are at home with families if there is a need to evacuate.

“There will be no before or after school programs, clubs, activities, or sports. The safety of our students, staff, and community is our top priority. Although it is not possible to know for certain what the fire will do, we do know that it is important that our students are home with their families, if possible, if an evacuation is ordered,” the LAPS email from Asst. Supt. Jennifer Guys states. “Schools will not provide remote instruction. Staff will be impacted by any potential evacuation and need to be able to prepare and focus on their families. We will provide you regular updates through email, the website, and local media. LAPS will return students to school as soon as it is safe to do so.”

The Los Alamos Reporter has not received a news release from the County, LANL or Los Alamos Public Schools as of 2 p.m. and is relying on the phone notification and an LAPS email to parents that was forwarded a short time ago.