Dome Fire

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Smoke from the Dome Fire dominated this view from Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The Dome Fire was a destructive wildfire in the Jemez Mountains of Northern New Mexico, devastating portions of the Santa Fe National Forest and Bandelier National Monument. The fire exploded on April 26, 1996, starting from an improperly extinguished campfire and continued until 16,516 acres (66.8 km²) in Capulin Canyon and the Dome Wilderness were burned. High fuel loading, low fuel moisture, and wind contributed to the extremely rapid spread of the fire, with flame lengths of hundreds of feet. The fire was contained in early May, 1996 after being fought by over 900 firefighters. The Dome Fire was significant for pointing out the problems of fighting fires on the Pajarito Plateau and was the immediate inspiration for creation of the Interagency Wildfire Management Team.