Photos and Story by R.W.
Slow winds, rain and humidity have up till now helped to keep the fire under control.
Still smoldering, after all these days and after all these rains. The smoke has been quite visible for a couple of weeks for those in the south of the valley and from State Highway 550. A naturally occuring, lightening caused fire it began in a location intended for a controlled burn, on the Santa Fe National Forest's Jemez Ranger District, about five miles south of State Highway 4 and six miles east of Jemez Springs. Up till now the fire has been managed to produce better forest conditions in that area. Since there is no rain forecast for the next few days the fire and smoke could intensify over the weekend, since it is occuring in a fuel-rich area.
The clear skies have brought back warmer temperatures and humidity levels are dropping rapidly. The fire, now estimated at about 124 acres, is burning quite actively and likely increase over the weekend, though the spread area is not predicted to increase. People with respitory problems are advised to prepare a personal response plan if smoke enters their location. The Forest Service does not expect any road closures to be necessary. The Labor Day weekend should be smoke free in the Jemez Valley.