Prescribed Fire Planned for Little Coyote Creek – Angel Fire, NM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 8, 2019
Prescribed Fire Planned for Little Coyote Creek

Angel Fire, NM – The Forest Stewards Guild (FSG), working closely with the New Mexico State Land Office (SLO), New Mexico State Forestry, Moreno Valley Fire Department, and Angel Fire Fire Department have been preparing the area around Little Coyote Creek for the return of fire since 2008. The burn will take place on state trust land near Black Lake. This burn builds on years and millions of dollars of investments aimed at maintaining forest health and reducing wildfire risk to nearby communities. This burn area was identified as a high priority in the Enchanted Circle Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and remains a top priority today.

The forests surrounding Little Coyote Creek are adapted to fire and need low-intensity burns to remain healthy and to reduce the risk of a catastrophic wildfire that could threaten nearby communities. A prescribed burn is currently being planned for the week of October 21st, with ignitions beginning as soon as Monday, October 21st (weather
dependent). The burn team will be led by a qualified burn boss from The Guild’s Gravitas Peak Wildland Fire Module, and will be comprised of qualified wildland firefighters from the SLO, FSG, and Angel Fire Fire Department, and other cooperators. The Gravitas Peak Wildland Fire Module brings significant experience and qualifications in appropriate use of fire to reduce wildfire risk and improve ecosystem health. In addition, the Forest Stewards Fire and Fuels Youth Crew will aid in the operations. The Forest Stewards Youth Crew (FSYC) program prepares participants for careers in natural resource management by providing them with training, certifications and hands-on
experience. The youth are qualified to National Wildfire Coordinating Group wildland firefighting standards.

Smoke will be closely monitored during the burn in compliance with the NM Environment Department’s Air Quality Bureau standards. Smoke may settle overnight in the surrounding areas including Black Lake, Taos, Angel Fire, Shady Brook, Guadalupita, Mora, La Cueva, and Ocate but should disperse the following morning. Smoke-sensitive
individuals can borrow a HEPA filter for use in their homes for the duration of the burn from the Forest Stewards Guild at no cost. Information on smoke, human health, and the HEPA Filter Loan Program can be accessed here, https://facnm.org/smoke#smokeanchor5. Learn more about Fire Adapted Communities New Mexico at http://www.facnm.org.
For more information call/text 352-561-8226

Contact: Daniel Godwin, 352-561-8226, daniel@forestguild.org or Eytan Krasilovsky, 505-470-0185, eytan@forestguild.org

Little Coyote Creek RX.SLO Release (PDF)

The Forest Stewards Guild is an equal opportunity provider.
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