Jemez Ranger District Cebollita Prescribed Burn Possible March, April
SANTA FE, NM – March 12, 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 conduct a broadcast prescribed burn sometime in March and/or April.
Due to recent moisture, the potential prescribed burn start is currently delayed to the latter part of March. The prescribed burn in the Cebollita area is to reduce the risk of high-severity wildfire, and is not anticipated to continue past April 30.
Up to 1,900 acres of hazardous fuels could be treated in the Cebollita area by hand and aerial ignitions. The broadcast burn area is located approximately one mile southwest of La Cueva. Smoke may be visible from I-25, Highway 550, San Ysidro, Zia Pueblo, Jemez Pueblo, Ponderosa, Canon, Gilman, Jemez Springs, and Sierra Los Pinos. Smoke is expected to settle into lower elevations and in drainage areas during the evenings, but should lift by mid-morning.
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 Cebollita 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.