Upcoming Santa Fe National Forest Prescribed Fires

Prescribed fires will be conducted throughout Santa Fe National Forest between September 15 and October 31 as conditions are favorable. These fires are designed to reduce excess fuels, provide community protection, and improve forest health. The start dates and duration of these burns will be dependent on weather, wind, and fuel moisture conditions.

In partnership with The Nature Conservancy, Santa Fe National Forest will host the International Fire Training Program again this year. Program participants from around the world will assist local fire managers with these prescribed fires. “This partnership provides an opportunity for us to work cooperatively and learn from each other as we improve the health of our forests,” said Robert Morales, Fire Management Officer at Santa Fe National Forest. “Our goal is to prevent the high intensity wildland fires that we have seen in recent years. This work protects people, water, and wildlife,” he added.

Prescribed Burn: Los Griegos Prescribed Pile Burn
Location: 17 miles southwest of Los Alamos, northeast of the Sierra Los Pinos community
Acres to be treated: The goal is to treat 500 acres in segments of up to 100 acres per day

Prescribed Burn: Paliza Prescribed Burn (South )
Location: 17 miles southwest of Los Alamos, southeast of the Sierra Los Pinos community
Acres to be treated: The goal is to treat 6,108 acres in segments of up to 3,000 acres per day

Prescribed Burn: Vallecitos Prescribed Pile Burn
Location: 17 miles southwest of Los Alamos, north of the Sierra Los Pinos community
Acres to be treated: The goal is to treat 60 acres in one day

Prescribed Burn: Borrego Prescribed Pile Burn
Location: Approximately 2 miles east of Cordova and 3 miles south of Truchas.
Acres to be treated: The goal is to incrementally treat 170 acres

Smoke from these fires will be visible intermittently through the next month. Every effort is made to minimize smoke impacts, but some impacts can be expected. All prescribed fires are coordinated with the NM Air Quality Bureau. Smoke from prescribed fires is considerably less and of a shorter duration than smoke from wildfires. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems are urged to stay indoors with windows and doors closed, when smoke is present. For more information, please contact the Jemez Ranger District at (575) 829-3535 or the Espanola Ranger District at (505) 753-7331.