Pacheco Canyon Prescribed Burn Planned for Mid-March

Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) plan to take advantage of favorable conditions, including fuel moisture levels, air quality, wind direction and weather forecasts, to initiate a prescribed burn in Pacheco Canyon on the Española Ranger District as early as Monday, March 18, 2019. Exact dates will be dependent on fuel conditions on site.

The 500-acre unit is adjacent to Forest Road (FR) 102, approximately six miles east of Tesuque Pueblo and three miles west of Ski Santa Fe.

Smoke will likely be visible from Santa Fe, Tesuque, Nambe, Los Alamos and Pojoaque as well as the I-25 and US 285/84 corridors. Smoke is expected to flow and settle into low-lying areas at night and may affect areas near Santa Fe, Tesuque, Nambe and Rio Chupadero.

Historically, low- to moderate-intensity wildfires burn through southwestern dry conifer forests like the SFNF every seven to 15 years as part of a natural cycle that reduces forest fuels, recycles nutrients and increases habitat diversity. Prescribed fire is one of the most effective tools available to restore fire-adapted ecosystems like the SFNF. Prescribed fires are managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority.

The 2,200-acre Pacheco Canyon project is part of the Greater Santa Fe Fireshed project area. The Greater Santa Fe Fireshed Coalition (GSFFC) is a collaborative effort focused on making the forested areas within a 107,000-acre perimeter surrounding Santa Fe more resilient to wildfire, insects and disease, drought and climate change.

Information on air quality and protecting your health by using the 5-3-1 visibility method can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health’s website at https://nmtracking.org/fire. For information on the HEPA filter loan program, go to https://www.santafefireshed.org/hepa- filter-loan-program/.

Fire updates are posted on the New Mexico Fire Information website at www.nmfireinfo.com, www.facebook.com/SantaFeNF and Twitter @SantafeNF.

For more information, contact the Española Ranger Station at (505) 753-7331.

New briefing paper! Post Fire Impacts

A severe wildfire in the mountains above Santa Fe would be dangerous, but flooding after the fire might be even more hazardous. Learn more in the new briefing paper on Post Fire Impacts.

Additional resources on the science of post fire impacts:

• Read more about the science on post-fire impacts and threats:
  State of the Knowledge about Post-Fire Response

• Read more about USGS’s modeling work.

• Learn more about post fire response: Post-Fire Treatment Effectiveness for Hillslope Stabilization.

• After Wildfire website.

To read more briefing papers visit the Fireshed briefing paper webpage here.

New Briefing paper! Forest Type Conversion

Read the newest briefing paper on Forest Type Conversion.

This briefing paper was developed based on research by Christopher H. Guiterman, Ellis Q. Margolis, Craig D. Allen, Donald A. Falk, and Thomas W. Swetnam, and was produced by the Forest Stewards Guild.

Forest type conversion is the permanent change of forest communities to another dominant vegetation type, like grassland or shrubfield. In some instances, such transitions have occurred following wildfires in the Southwest. Whether or not these changes represent permanent type conversions remains an open question, but new research… Read More.

To read more briefing papers visit the Fireshed briefing paper webpage here.

Santa Fe National Forest Plans La Cueva Prescribed Burn

Sensitive to smoke?

The Fireshed Coaliton has HEPA filters that can be loaned out for free to residents who are sensitive to smoke. Visit the Hepa Filter Loan page for more information.

SANTA FE, NM – Feb. 12, 2019 – For Immediate Release – Fire managers on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) plan to conduct a prescribed burn in the La Cueva area 7 miles northwest of the village of Pecos if conditions, including fuel moisture levels, air quality and weather, remain favorable.  

Ignitions on the 372-acre La Cueva unit could begin as early as Feb. 14, treating up to 240 acres per day, and will conclude by Feb. 28.  Firefighters will use hand ignitions on piles of slash to reduce the risk of wildfire, provide community protection and improve forest health.  

Prescribed fires are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire-adapted ecosystems like the Santa Fe National Forest. These fires mimic natural fires by reducing forest fuels, recycling nutrients and increasing habitat diversity.  Prescribed fires are managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority. 

Smoke from the La Cueva prescribed burn will be monitored to ensure that the New Mexico Environment Department’s Air Quality Bureau regulations are met.  Smoke may impact the communities of La Cueva, Glorieta, Canada De Los Alamos, La Joya, Apache Canyon, Pecos/Upper Pecos Canyon, Rowe and Santa Fe.  Smoke may be visible along the I-25 corridor and within the Santa Fe Watershed. 

Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with heart or respiratory problems are encouraged to take precautionary measures.  Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Environment Department’s website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

For additional information, please contact the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District offices at 505.425.3534 or 505.757.6121.

Download the PSA.

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