National Lab Concern Easing

Danger from the Las Conchas wildland fire in New Mexico appears to be easing.Los Alamos National Laboratory,a nuclear national security facility that was edged by the fire for about a week,has lifted its state of emergency.It is moving into an operational recovery mode,the lab said.
As of Saturday,113,734 acres had been consumed by the blaze.It was burning on Santa Fe National Forest and Valles Caldera National Preserve.The wildfire was rated as 6% contained,and the persistent hot,dry weather conditions remained a concern.About 10,000 Los Alamos residents were still in evacuation status,and LANL had yet to reopen to non-essential personnel.
The lab stated that nuclear and hazardous materials hadn't been threatened by the conflagration.
Update:Residents began returning home to Los Alamos on Sunday as most roadblocks were lifted.Firefighters had made progress when more humid air and lesser winds moved into the region,bringing containment of the Las Conchas fire to 19%.
Los Alamos National Laboratory will reopen to all employees on Wednesday.
The wildland firefighters on scene,who now number more than 2100,say their work isn't over as the fire remains very active.The fire has consumed more than 120,000 acres and destroyed over 100 structures,including more than 60 homes.It began when an aspen tree was felled by high winds on 26 June,hitting a power line and catching fire.When the tree hit the ground,the flames began to spread.
The fire is currently burning in the higher elevations.Thunderstorms are possible in the area through Wednesday.