August 10, 2018 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Venado Fire UPDATE
Part of Forest Road 376 Opens for Public Access
Start Date: July 20
Cause: Lightning
Size: 4,150 acres
Location: Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF)
Containment: 75%
Fuel: Ponderosa Pine
Weather: Rainy today with more forecasted over the weekend
Resources: 8 personnel, one engine
Situation: Forest officials opened the gate at the junction of Forest Road (FR) 376 and State Hwy 126 for public access south to the Porter Landing bridge. Rain helps to hold the fire. Firefighters continue to monitor where resources do not have safe access. The Type IV Fire Management team, continues to work with the Pueblo of Jemez to minimize adverse effects to values at risk, such as archaeological sites, the Rio Guadalupe and critical habitats for Threatened or Endangered Species.
Closures: The gate on the bridge remains closed and locked until further notice, as does FR 376 from the bridge to south of Gilman Tunnels. FR 534 from Cuba remains closed, as does FR 488.
Smoke/Air Quality: Smoke may be visible from Highways 4 and 550 as interior pockets of unburned fuel are consumed by the fire. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory or heart disease should be prepared to exercise precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health using the 5-3-1 visibility method can be found at the New Mexico Department of Health’s website https://nmtracking.org/fire or by calling 1-888-878-8992. For information on the HEPA filter loan program: https://www.santafefireshed.org/hepa-filter-loan-program/.
Fire updates are on Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5996/, the New Mexico Fire Information website: www.nmfireinfo.com, Twitter @SantaFeNF, and www.facebook.com/SantaFeNF.
For more information, please contact the Jemez Ranger District at (575) 829-3535.
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