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Las Conchas Fire near Los Alamos growing; see it live

The Pajarito Mountain web cam has the best view I've seen today of the fire southwest of Los Alamos. Check it out here.

Meanwhile, LANL will be closed Monday, officials said. All non-essential employees should stay home, according to the lab's web site. At this hour, there is a voluntary evacuation in order for Los Alamos. Gov. Susana Martinez said she is sending the National Guard to the area to assist.

For fire updates, this website is pretty helpful. Inciweb is also usually useful, but there is nothing up right now about this fire.

At the same time, the Pacheco Fire near Santa Fe gained ground today, due to high winds.

Gov. Martinez: no illegal fireworks, please

With dangerous fire weather season upon us, Gov. Susana Martinez is asking -- make that pleading with -- residents to not use illegal fireworks this summer.

"With the 4th of July holiday approaching, we are urging New Mexicans to exercise caution and restraint when it comes to using fireworks," Martinez said in a statement.

"Across New Mexico, we have seen just how quickly fires can burn through our landscape and impact our communities. I am asking New Mexicans to follow all state and local fireworks bans and restrictions and pull together to ensure a safe and celebratory Independence Day weekend."

The Governor's Office is reminding residents of the statewide ban on "all fireworks, as well as on smoking, the use of campfires, open burning, and open fires" in all state and private wildlands. Many counties and cities have taken similar steps.

No word yet on where Martinez will take in her July 4th fireworks fix, although I have a feeling she will be busy monitoring any more fires that pop up next weekend.

Board votes to cut weekend Rail Runner service

The Rio Metro Board voted this afternoon to end weekend train service in mid-to late August. This as the train is facing cuts in federal funding.

"This was originally envisioned as a commuter service, and that’s the piece we want to maintain without affecting anybody," Steve Shaw, Chairman of the Rio Metro Board said in a statement. "While we recognize the weekend service from a tourism and convenience point of view, we think it’s more important to support the initial mission of the train without affecting the people who use it to get to and from work."

More details in tomorrow's paper.

And today's Groupon is . . .

for the New Mexico Rail Runner.

That's right, the site that offers big discounts on everything from massages to photo packages is offering a deal on tickets on the Rail Runner Express. That can't be good news for the train service, which recently said it is looking at cutting service to offset a loss in federal funds.

But it is good news for riders trying to save some cash.

State employee layoffs on the table

Many state workers feared layoffs during the Gov. Bill Richardson administration, but got furloughs instead.

Now, it looks like the state's budget crisis means some employees will have to lose their jobs.

The state Personnel Board is meeting this morning on just how many jobs will be axed. Among the agencies slated for cuts are the Economic Development Department, the Commission on the Status of Women, the State Land Office, the Organic Commodity Commission, the Regulation and Licensing Department and the Public Education Department.

A look at PTSD options

No, this story doesn't have much do to with politics. But it's an important topic nonetheless: PTSD and what our country is doing to help veterans who are suffering.

My story, which ran in today's paper looks at the new ways veterans are getting help, including yoga, massage and couples counseling.