SANTA FE, NM – January 25, 2018 – For Immediate Release. To take advantage of favorable conditions, to include fuel moisture levels, air quality and weather forecasts, fire managers on the Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) expect to begin ignitions tomorrow on the Vallecitos piles to reduce the risk of high-severity wildfire.
As weather conditions permit, the Vallecitos prescribed burn could continue through February 17.
The Vallecitos piles area is 277 acres and is located off forest road 10, south of, and adjacent to, the community of Sierra Los Pinos. Smoke may be visible from parts of Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Bernalillo, areas of I-25, I-550, State Highway 4, Zia Pueblo, San Ysidro, Jemez Pueblo, Ponderosa, Cañon, La Cueva, and Sierra Los Pinos.
Prescribed burns are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire-adapted ecosystems. The burns mimic natural fires by reducing forest fuels, recycling nutrients and increasing habitat diversity. The Vallecitos piles prescribed burn will specifically remove dead forest fuels, provide community protection and promote forest health. Prescribed burns are managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority.
Smoke from the prescribed burn will be monitored to ensure that the New Mexico Environment Department’s Air Quality Bureau regulations are met. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease 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 this prescribed burn, please contact the Jemez Ranger District at 575.829.3535.