August 20, 2014, - Santa Fe, NM – The lightning caused Pino Fire on Santa Fe National Forest’s Jemez Ranger District is continuing to grow and as of this morning is at 62.
Most of the fire behavior and growth yesterday, on the southwest side, was attributed to the firing operation aimed at anchoring the fire. Fire is carrying well through the pine litter with very little torching of trees and good consumption of dead woody material.
The Pino Fire is being managed for resource benefit. This strategy allows low to moderate intensity fires to continue burning for ecological benefits such as fuel reduction and nutrient recycling. Fire managers take into consideration the observed and predicted fire behavior, weather conditions, and resource availability before they implement this type of strategy. Managed fires are only allowed within specific weather conditions and within a predetermined area.
Weather predictions for today are for mostly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorm in the afternoon. Smoke will continue to be visible from surrounding communities and will tend to settle in the community of Ponderosa at night but is expected to lift as day time temperatures increase.