Santa Fe National Forest Prescribed Fire Update

Pile burning project planned in Espanola Ranger District

Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) fire managers are tentatively planning to begin ignitions Thursday and Friday of this week on the Pacheco Canyon pile burn project located near Forest Road 102 in the Espanola Ranger District. The Pacheco Canyon unit is 60 acres of debris left after fuel reduction projects that involve thinning or cutting of trees in the forest. Currently, ideal conditions within the project unit exist including persistent snowpack, air quality, ventilation, and resource availability. “Despite high winds experienced earlier this week, favorable wind conditions and seasonable temperatures are expected for the project area on Thursday. Light winds from the west or northwest at less than 15 mph are generally expected in the afternoon, which will contribute to good smoke dispersion.  The favorable weather window will continue Friday before west and southwest winds begin to increase on Saturday and especially Sunday ahead of the next storm system expected to bring a little better chance at precipitation late this weekend,” stated Kerry Jones USFS Air Quality Specialist/Meteorologist.

Smoke may be visible in the Santa Fe vicinity this week.

As snow begins to melt and weather warms, pile burns will be monitored daily. Each prescribed fire is different and requires a unique set of tools to call the fire out. SFNF fire managers determine the appropriate drone platform or other aerial resources to use (such as helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft). Both handheld infrared devices and drones can be used to detect residual heat. Once no heat is detected and vegetation is no longer burning in the area a prescribed fire is determined to be out.

Fire managers conduct pile burns because it is the most efficient option to reduce forest debris at the scale and speed needed to reduce wildfire risk. These prescribed fire projects support the wildfire crisis strategy, a 10-year strategy to address the wildfire crisis in places where fire poses the most immediate threats to communities. The purpose of this strategy is to reduce wildfire risk to communities and create a forest more resilient to natural fire in the future.

For more information on SFNF prescribed fire activities visit the SFNF website, NM Fire Info, and the SFNF social media (Facebook and X).

###

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.