Santa Fe National Forest fire managers prepare for winter prescribed fire activities. Courtesy/SFNF
SFNF News:
SANTA FE — With recent snowfall, Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) fire managers are preparing for winter prescribed fire activities.
Pile burns are tentatively planned as early as next week and will occur between November and April in the Cuba, Coyote, Jemez, and Espanola ranger districts. Pile burning is meant to treat slash, like branches, piled by thinning crews with the aim to reduce flammable fuels and mitigate the risk of large high intensity wildfires.
Prescribed fire projects are intended to reduce hazardous fuels, enhance wildlife habitat, and improve forest health. The decision to proceed with each pile burn will depend on multiple factors, including snowpack, fuel moisture levels, air quality, ventilation, forecast weather and wind, and resource availability.
Local communities may experience short duration smoke impacts. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautions. To learn more about the New Mexico Environment Department Smoke Management Program visit Smoke Management Program (nm.gov).
Fire managers will look for ideal weather windows to implement the following pile burn projects:
Cuba District
Tusas West – 49 acres located east of Forest Road 535 and West of Forest Road 532 along a ridge that runs north/south. This burn unit is located approximately 1.5 miles southwest of Rancho del Chaparral Girl Scout Ranch. American Parks – 208 acres located on the north and south side of New Mexico State Road 126 and approximately 10 miles from Cuba N.M. This project area extends to the community of Wetherill where piles are located on the southwestern edge of the community. Deer Lake – 77 acres is located adjacent to the Deer Lakes community and utilizes New Mexico State Road 126 as the southern unit boundary. This unit is approximately 5 miles from Cuba N.M.Coyote District
Lino – 99 acres located adjacent to Forest Road 461KA, a spur road off Forest Road 103, south of New Mexico State Road 96. Gobernador – 95 acres located on the north end of the district adjacent to Forest Road District staff will hold an open house from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday Nov. 15 at the Coyote District Office located at 20 Private Drive 1707, Coyote, NM 87012. Fire managers will be available to answer questions about pile burn projects.Jemez District
Horseshoe Pile – 239 acres located adjacent to State Road 126 and Forest Road 376 near the community of La Cueva. Triangle Pile – 43 acres located adjacent to Forest Road 376 and Forest Road 604 near the community of La Cueva. Hill Pile – 45 acres located adjacent to Forest Road 376 south of the intersection with Forest Road 604. San Diego Egress – 17 acres located adjacent to Ponderosa Road and New Mexico State Road 4, up the canyon from Jemez Springs. Seven Springs – 33 acres located off New Mexico State Road 126 near the community of Seven Springs and State Fish Hatchery.Española District
North Ridge Unit (Hyde Park Wildland Urban Interface) – 52 acres located adjacent to the Black Canyon Campground and East of New Mexico State Road 475.To Learn More
As pile burn locations and dates are confirmed, the SFNF will post regular updates to our SFNF Website and social media pages (Facebook and X). To join the forest news release email list, send a request to our public affairs inbox Prescribed fire information will be posted to NM Fire Info and InciWeb. Districts fire staff will contact residents, businesses, landowners, cooperators, local fire departments and smoke sensitive individuals, and proper signage will be placed where appropriate and needed. Contact district offices for specific information.he Official Newspaper of Record in Los Alamos County. This Site and all information contained here including, but not limited to news stories, photographs, videos, charts, graphs and graphics is the property of the Los Alamos Daily Post, unless otherwise noted. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that the Los Alamos Daily Post and author/photographer are properly cited. Opinions expressed by readers, columnists and other contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the Los Alamos Daily Post. The Los Alamos Daily Post newspaper was founded Feb. 7, 2012 by Owner/Publisher Carol A. Clark.
