January 31, 2019 
SANTA FE, NM – January 31, 2019 – For Immediate Release. To take advantage of favorable conditions, to include fuel moisture levels, air quality and weather forecasts, fire managers on the Cuba Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) expect to begin ignitions today on Chaparral piles to reduce the risk of high-severity wildfire.
Weather permitting, crews are expected to treat up to 59 acres of the Chaparral piles, and may conduct treatments anytime between now and the spring as conditions allow.
The Chaparral piles area is located along Forest Service Road 539, two to five miles south of the Rancho del Chaparral Girl Scout Camp. Smoke may be visible from Cuba, Jemez Springs, San Ysidro, and Highway 550.
Prescribed burns are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire-adapted ecosystems. The burns mimic natural fires by reducing forest fuels, recycling nutrients and increasing habitat diversity. The Chaparral piles burn will specifically remove dead forest fuels, provide community protection and promote forest health. Prescribed burns are managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority.
Smoke/Air Quality: Information on air quality and protecting your health 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 and on Twitter @SantaFeNF, and www.facebook.com/SantaFeNF.
For more information, contact the Cuba Ranger Station at (575) 289-3264.
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NM Fire Info 
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