SANTA FE, NM – Sept. 1, 2016 – For Immediate Release. Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest are planning to conduct multiple prescribed burns across the forest between now and the end of the year. Any decision to burn will be dependent on favorable conditions, including fuel moisture levels, air quality and weather forecasts.
Here is a list of planned burns:
Coyote Ranger District
· Mesa Potrero – 470 acres on Mesa Alta 7 miles northwest of Coyote
· French Mesa – 5,041 acres located 10 miles south of Gallina
Cuba Ranger District
· Chaparral Diego Unit – 378 acres located 2 miles southwest of Seven Springs
· Cedar Springs – 2,187 acres near Deadman Lookout
Jemez Ranger District
· Virgin – 1,950 acres located on Virgin Mesa
· Chaparral Joaquin Unit – 300 acres 6 miles northwest of Gilman
· Vallecitos – 350 acres near the community of Sierra Los Pinos
· Thompson Ridge – 45 acres adjacent to the Thompson Ridge subdivision
Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District
· Gallinas Watershed – 875 acres
· La Cueva Fuel Break – 100 acres 6 miles northwest of Pecos
· Barillas Lookout – 25 acres
Española Ranger District
· Santa Fe Watershed – 2,500 acres of broadcast burns and 250 acres of pile burns
· Borrego Mesa – 200 acres located 2 miles east of Cordova
· Mesitas – 2,300 acres 8 miles southwest of Abiquiu
The Santa Fe National Forest will issue additional public notice for each prescribed burn prior to ignition.
Historically, low-intensity wildfires burned through southwestern forests every two to 10 years as part of a natural cycle that removed leaf litter, eradicated disease and thinned the understory, making room for new growth. Prescribed fires are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire-adapted ecosystems by applying low-intensity fire to the landscape under specific conditions within predetermined boundaries.
Each prescribed burn is designed to meet specific objectives. These prescribed burns are designed to reduce the risk of wildfire by removing dead forest fuels, improve wildlife habitat, promote forest health and provide community protection. Prescribed fires are managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority.
Smoke from these prescribed burn will be monitored, and the information will be available to provide health advisories as necessary. 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 Department of Health’s website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.
For additional information about these prescribed burns, please contact your local Ranger District or the Forest Headquarters at 505.438.5300.