Los Alamos thankful no lives were lost

P. Solomon Banda

Sunday, May 21, 2000 | 2:35 a.m.

LOS ALAMOS, N.M. - Residents recovering from the devastating Los Alamos wildfire took one step toward restoring normalcy Sunday by worshipping in churches that sat empty and cloaked in smoke one week ago.

At Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, parishioners gave thanks that no lives were lost and that nobody was seriously injured in the fire, which destroyed more than 200 homes and burned 47,000 acres in and around the mountain community best known as the birthplace of the atomic bomb.

At its peak, the fire forced 25,000 people to evacuate Los Alamos and the surrounding area.

"Their lives are precious, more than any buildings," said Archbishop Michael Sheehan of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, who spent the past week going from shelter to shelter, visiting residents displaced by the fire.

Some parishioners attended church in blue jeans; others wore ash-stained shoes. Most people were optimistic, even those who had lost their homes.

"We lost most everything, but we're together," said Steve Greene, a physicist at Los Alamos National Laboratory whose home was destroyed. "We're going to rebuild."

Diane Dawghton was at the service with her husband, William, and three daughters, ages 9, 6 and 4. Their home survived, but those behind and in front of theirs were destroyed.

"Most of our friends in the community are here," she said, "and it's really nice to hear people say, 'Hey, we're thinking about you."'

Los Alamos High School, which was not damaged, was reopening Monday. Principal Lynne Saccaro planned to meet with students who lost their homes. She also was letting students know what activities will go on, "the prom, the yearbook - all the things that are important to them."

The high school staff returned to work late last week.

"We were reassured that everybody is OK," Saccaro said. "We had good laughs and now everybody is ready."

After being closed for two weeks, Los Alamos National Laboratory was also reopening Monday, but only a small percentage of the 10,000 employees were expected to report back.

Lab officials were evaluating every building - all 2,000 structures scattered throughout 43 square miles. Several buildings suffered smoke damage and electrical interruptions, the lab said Friday.