U.S. Department of the InteriorOFFICE OF THE SECRETARY May 16, 2000 Media notification Contact: Mike Gauldin, John Wright,
Tim Ahern (202) 208-6416 Secretary Babbitt to Release Findings of Los Alamos Fire Investigation Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt plans to release the findings of an investigation into causes of the Los Alamos fire Thursday, May 18, at 1:30 p.m. at a news conference in the main convention hall of the Sweeney Convention Center, 201 West Marcy Street, Santa Fe, NM. The fire began as an attempt to reduce flammable underbrush at Bandelier National Monument. Since last week it has burned several thousand acres, including more than 200 homes in the town of Los Alamos. Secretary Babbitt immediately ordered an investigative team from the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, to determine how the blaze got out of control. The team's preliminary report will be made available at the news conference. The Secretary will also appoint a panel of fire experts to review the investigation. Time and location of the news conference are subject to change. NOTE: To arrange to receive a copy of the investigative report when it is made public, contact Karen Frazier, Donna Margelos or Valerie Henson-Ford at (202) 208-6416. -DOI-
U.S. Department of the Interior |