THOMPSON RIDGE BAER UPDATE Wednesday July 31, 2013 Jemez Springs, NM –The Thompson Ridge Fire burned 23,965 acres near and within the Valles Caldera National Preserve recreation and resource areas. The fire was human-caused on May 31 when a downed electrical line, ignited ground cover and spread into the adjacent forest of mixed conifer and ponderosa. To date, approximately $271,000 has been allocated to reduce the threat and severity of post-fire floods that are projected to occur for several years, especially during monsoon seasons. BAER Treatments Completed Cutting and removing burned trees near roads and buildings was a priority as they present an immediate threat to human life and structures. A sawyer crew from Bandelier National Monument felled six trees along Forest Road 105, which accesses a residential area. The crew also downed ten trees which threatened historic cabins in the Valles Caldera. These trees were then anchored into place to serve as barriers to help redirect...