LOS ALAMOS COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – A long-awaited project that could help fight wildfires faster is taking shape in northern New Mexico, with the construction of a major water pipeline. The pipeline will carry water to the top of Pajarito Mountain, and could be used to battle wildfires within a 50- mile radius. In April, shovels will hit the ground at Pajarito Mountain to begin the first two phases of a 4 phase project building a water pipeline up to the ski hill. "So, with this addition of the water line, it'll just be a faster attack. We'll be able to just make progress much faster," said Los Alamos Fire Marshall Colorado Cordova. The Jemez Mountain Fire Protection Project is set to break ground on a major addition to the water supply system in Los Alamos County. "It's a big project, involves over three and a half miles of pipe. It is four booster stations, and so it's all on the premise of providing additional fire protection," emphasized James Alarid, Deputy Utility Manager of Los Alamos. Los Alamos officials said this connection is necessary for fire suppression capabilities at Pajarito and surrounding National Forest Service lands, which have seen three major wildfires in the last 20 years. "The key things are right now there's not a steady water supply in there, so we are going to have fire hydrants that have full coverage 24/7," continued Alarid. The new system is designed to ensure an immediately available water supply for firefighting crews, including aircraft performing water drops. Once complete, the pipeline will be able to circulate half a million gallons of water a day for fire protection, cutting down on firefighter response time. It will also be used for snowmaking at the ski area in the winter months and drinking water at the ski lodge and surrounding areas. The project is being funded by a $7.9 million grant from the New Mexico Legislature. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, State Sen. Leo Jaramillo (D-Los Alamos), and NM State Representative Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos) offered crucial support in securing the grant funding. The remainder of the project costs (up to $18 million) are being split by Los Alamos County and Pajarito Mountain. ...read more read less