Santa Fe National Forest preparing for North Joaquin prescribed fire

SANTA FE, N.M., Oct. 13, 2023—The North Joaquin, a 1,701-acre prescribed fire, is planned to start sometime after the Albuquerque Ballon Fiesta, which ends on October 15. Jemez Ranger District fire management personnel are currently completing preparation related work on the perimeter containment lines.

The unit is located on Forest Service administered lands on the Jemez and Cuba Ranger Districts six miles west of Jemez Springs and approximately three miles south of Rancho de Chaparral Girl Scout Camp. The western boundary is adjacent to Rito la Cueva Springs FR534/FR 376 HD. The eastern boundary is FR376. The 2012 Tusas prescribed fire project lies directly to the north, and the 2018 Venado wildfire area is directly to the south of the North Joaquin prescribed fire project. 

The objectives of prescribed fires include but are not limited to: reducing juniper encroachment, enhancing wildlife forage, increasing canopy base heights to reduce ladder fuels, and reducing forest floor fuel loading while minimizing smoke impacts.

Fire-dependent ecosystems in northern New Mexico, need low to moderate-intensity fire to remain in optimal health. Prescribed fires reduce excess amounts of fuels while cycling nutrients back into the soil and enhancing the growth of plants that wildlife depend upon for forage.

All new prescribed fires planned and implemented on the SFNF, including the North Joaquin, incorporates the guidance in the Forest Service Chief’s National Prescribed Fire Program Review. This includes using the most recent science and modeling, ensuring contingency resources are more readily available, integrating drought monitoring, increasing patrols, and completing a daily go/no-go evaluation of conditions.

A final decision on whether to proceed with a specific prescribed fire on the SFNF will depend on agency administrator approval, resource availability, fuel moisture levels, air quality and forecast weather. Prescribed fires are designed to meet specific objectives and are always managed with firefighter and public safety as the priority. Private landowners, cooperators, elected officials, and partners have been briefed on both prescribed fires.

Prescribed fire updates will be posted on the New Mexico Fire Information website and on the Santa Fe National Forest’s Facebook page and Website. For more information, contact the Jemez Ranger District at 575-829-3535.