Carson National Forest to Manage Poso Fire for Resource Benefit

Taos, NM – June 3, 2021— The Poso Fire was detected May 29th, on the El Rito Ranger District of the Carson National Forest and is the result of a lightning strike approximately 10 miles north of El Rito, New Mexico. Currently, the fire is a low intensity surface fire, burning primarily in the dead-and-down fuels. Carson National Forest fire managers are taking advantage of ideal conditions to manage the fire for resource benefit and resiliency in a high-priority watershed. The Poso fire poses no immediate danger to any property or infrastructure.

Name: Poso

Date detected: May 29, 2021

Cause: Lightning

Location: Carson NF, El Rito Ranger District, adjacent to FR123

Size: 7 acres

Growth Potential: Low to moderate

Vegetation: Ponderosa pine and mixed conifer

Resources: 1 Type-4 Incident Command Team, 1 road grader, 2 Type-6 engines, local fire personnel.

In Route: 1 Type-2 bulldozer, 1 Type-1 masticator, and 1 wildland fire module.

Gradual fire growth can be expected as the fire creeps naturally, but residents and travelers can expect the volume of smoke to increase over the next few weeks as firefighters enter the area and increase burning activity in order to mimic natural fire conditions. Pre-determined management areas have been and will continue to be identified as the fire continues to burn, so that it can be kept within established boundaries. Previous treatments in the area may assist managers by providing a good area to limit the fire’s spread. Additional management actions, including burning (both ground and aerial ignitions) in the next several days, will be further determined by fire activity, weather, and the progression of the fire.

The Carson National Forest is committed to using lightning-caused fires when conditions allow to achieve many resource objectives. Fire mangers use a strategy which incorporates different tactics to accomplish desired results. These tactics help reduce firefighter exposure while increasing the probability of meeting predetermined desired effects in relationship to values at risk. This assists the Forest in meeting the land management objective of returning natural fire back into this fire-adapted ecosystem.

Due to the location and elevation of the fires, smoke may be visible from surrounding communities including Vallecitos, Cañon Plaza, Petaca, Las Tablas, Servilleta Plaza, El Rito, Ojo Caliente, Tres Piedras, and La Madera, New Mexico. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with heart or respiratory problems are encouraged to take precautionary measures. For information on air quality and protecting your health, please visit https://nmtracking.org/fire. For information on the HEPA filter loan program, go to https://facnm.org/smoke/ or contact the El Rito Ranger District 575-581-4554.