National Forest announces meeting to discuss Santa Fe-area controlled burns

Sep. 21—Fire managers from the Santa Fe National Forest have tentatively announced a series of controlled burns in and around the Santa Fe area on the Española Ranger District this fall and winter.

An informational meeting to discuss the projects will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Santa Fe National Forest Supervisor's Office located at 11 Forest Lane, Santa Fe, according to a news release.

The planned fires are:

* North Aztec Springs, with a 647-acre burn,

* Tesuque Initial Units, with a 69-acre burn,

* Hyde Park North Ridge, with a 52-acre burn, and

* Borrego Campground 2, with a 130-acre burn.

The burnings are tentative pending Santa Fe National Forest allocation of resources and personnel, and no dates have been set yet. Officials say smoke-sensitive individuals and those with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautions. The smoke may be visible from Santa Fe and surrounding communities, officials say.