Esquibel Prescribed Fire Update

May 28, 2024 by carsonnationalforest 0 Comments

Low-intensity fire burns in the understory of a pine forest. — The Esquibel Prescribed Fire consumes fuels in the understory of a ponderosa pine stand on Monday, May 27, 2024/U.S. Forest Service photo.

Fire crews this morning began a second day of ignitions on the Esquibel Prescribed Fire to the north of Tres Piedras, N.M. The latest National Weather Service spot forecast calls for 4 to 8 mph winds throughout the day, with isolated precipitation in the area. Fire managers are using a portable remote automatic weather station to closely monitor conditions on site.

Crews, including the Forest Stewards Guild’s All Hands All Lands Burn Crew, made good progress on Monday, treating 200 acres. Crew members blacklined the eastern edge of the unit’s boundary. Blacklining is pre-burning fuels along the control line before interior areas are treated. On-site winds were light.

Today, crews will continue blacklining, starting with the unit’s southern boundary. A helicopter may be used later to help treat interior areas. Ignitions on the 2,962-acre prescribed fire unit are expected to last throughout the week.

Residents and visitors in the area may observe smoke coming from the unit. Check the Fire and Smoke Map for local air quality and protective actions. A limited number of portable air filter units, courtesy of the Forest Stewards Guild, are available on loan for nearby smoke-sensitive residents. Call the Tres Piedras Ranger Station at 575-758-8678 for availability.

Fire crews are targeting fuels on the forest floor, such as leaf litter, downed branches and brush. The fire may fully burn single trees or stands, which will help create an open canopy. They will use recently greened-up grassland areas within the unit as holding features, along with Forest Road 83 and two prescribed fires from 2015 and 2021.

As part of the Rio Chama Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Project, prescribed fire in this area also contributes to goals of improving and maintaining the health and resiliency of the Rio Chama and Rio Grande watersheds.

Public information officers will continue to post updates on InciWeb, Carson National Forest social media channels (Facebook, X) and New Mexico Fire Information as operations continue.