Fire managers at Santa Fe National Forest are planning to continue prescribed pile burns on the Jemez Ranger District. The Las Conchas Meadow, Thompson Ridge and Fenton Hill prescribed pile burns may be conducted October 28 through November 21, 2014, only on favorable days as conditions allow.
Las Conchas Meadow with a total of 76 acres of piles may be treated in an area adjacent to the south end of the Valles Caldera Preserve, 9 miles southwest of Los Alamos. Thompson Ridge with a total of 59 acres of piles may be treated in an area adjacent to the east side of the community of Thompson Ridge and 1 mile north of La Cueva. Fenton Hill with a total of 20 acres of piles may be treated in an area adjacent to the Fenton Hill Forest Service administration site off of State Hwy. 126, 1 mile west of La Cueva and 2 miles southeast of Seven Springs. Small blocks may be treated each day to decrease the daily smoke volume.
Prescribed fires are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire-dependent ecosystems. These fires mimic natural fires by reducing forest fuels, recycling nutrients and increasing habitat diversity. Each prescribed burn is designed to meet specific objectives. The Las Conchas Meadow, Thompson Ridge and Fenton Hill prescribed pile burns are designed to remove dead forest fuels, provide community protection and promote forest health. These fires are managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority.
Smoke from all three prescribed burns will be monitored to ensure that New Mexico Environment Department’s Air Quality Bureau regulations are being met. It will likely be visible from the Sierra Los Pinos community, La Cueva, Thompson Ridge community, Seven Springs, Jemez Pueblo, San Ysidro, Zia Pueblo, Bernalillo, Rio Rancho and Highway 550. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Environment Department’s website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.
For additional information about these prescribed burns, please contact the Jemez Ranger District at 575-829-3535.
Julie Anne Overton
Acting Public Affairs Officer
Santa Fe National Forest
o 505.438.5320
c 505.577.0918
julieanneoverton@fs.fed.us
11 Forest Lane
Santa Fe, NM 87508