SFNF: Prescribed Fire Planned In Jemez Ranger District

Prescribed fire unit area in the Jemez Ranger District. Courtesy/SFNF

SFNF News:

SANTA FE—Fire managers from the Jemez Ranger District plan to begin ignitions on the 582-acre Cat Mesa prescribed fire project as early as Oct. 20, 2024. The project area is east of Forest Road 135 approximately 1.5 miles east of the Village of Jemez Springs.

The Cat Mesa prescribed fire is part of the Southwest Jemez Land Restoration Project National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) decision with project objectives to promote the important role fire plays in maintaining forest ecosystems and reduce hazardous fuels to protect the communities of Sierra de Los Pinos and the Vallecitos de los Indios Land Grant from catastrophic uncharacteristic wildfire.

Prescribed fires are managed with firefighter and public safety as priority. Crews are prepping containment lines using natural features, roads, and past burned areas. The boundaries of the unit consist of handline (removing fuel by clearing an area down to mineral soil) and tying into preexisting roads including Forest Road 135K, Bridge Road, Forest Road 135G, and 135J.

A final decision to proceed with a prescribed fire on the SFNF depends on agency administrator approval, resource availability, and favorable conditions including fuel moisture levels, air quality and forecast weather. Fire managers are planning 2-3 days for implementation, using a combination of aerial and hand ignitions.

A closure order will be issued for the project area to protect public health and safety during fire operations. After ignitions are complete, fire crews will move into a strategy of securing and holding the fire within control lines and patrolling the fire area to mitigate the risk of fire spread. Smoke from the Cat Mesa prescribed fire may be visible from Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Bernalillo, Jemez Springs, San Ysidro, Cuba and the Pueblo of Jemez.

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). For information on the HEPA filter loan program, go to

For further details on the Cat Mesa prescribed fire contact the Jemez District Office by phone 575.829. 3535 or visit the office at 51 Woodsy Lane, Jemez Springs, NM 87025.

To learn more about fire management visit the SFNF website, NM Fire Info, and SFNF social media (Facebook and X).