Facebook Twitter Email
der=0 cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width=100%> Fire burns Pueblo land
MAY 16, 2000

Firefighters were able to prevent the Cerro Grande fire from reaching Santa Clara Pueblo homes and the Puye Cliffs, a sacred Santa Clara site, but the blaze did burn some of the tribe's northern New Mexico reservation.

Alvin Warren, Santa Clara fire spokesman, said the fire burned some archaeological sites on tribal land over the weekend.

The Cerro Grande fire has been burning since May 4, when the National Parks Service intentionally started the fire get rid of excess underbrush and deadwood in the Bandelier National Monument, a historic Pueblo site.

The US Forest Service estimates that 1,500 archaeological sites have been damaged by the fire. While fires can uncover previously hidden sites, it can chemically alter and destroy rocks.

Get the Story:
Fire puts more than 1,500 archaeological sites at risk (AP 5/16)
New Mexico pueblo watches fire threaten sacred canyon (The Arizona Republic 5/16)
You may have to register to view Arizona Republic stories. If you do not wish to register, use the username IndianzCom and password indianz.com (all in lowercase, include the ".") to view the site.

Relevant Links:
The National Parks Service: Bandelier National Monument
Los Alamos National Laboratory: www.lanl.gov
The Albuquerque Journal
The Santa Fe New Mexican.