Santa Fe National Forest Fall Prescribed Fire Update

Jemez Ranger District tentatively plans to implement the North Joaquin prescribed fire Thursday, September 26

Santa Fe, N.M., September 25, 2024— Taking advantage of fall weather, fire managers from the Santa Fe National Forest will begin implementing fall prescribed fire projects in the next few months. Jemez Ranger District plans to begin ignitions on the 1,701-acre North Joaquin prescribed fire project on Thursday September 26. Fire managers are planning five days for implementation, using a combination of aerial and hand ignitions. Smoke may be visible from Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Bernalillo, Jemez Springs, San Ysidro, Cuba, and the Pueblo of Jemez. The project area is located approximately 6 miles west of Jemez Springs and 3 miles south of Rancho de Chaparral Girl Scout Camp. The North Joaquin prescribed fire is part of the Chaparral National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) decision with the objective to restore fire dependent ecosystems, protect communities from high severity wildfire, and enhance wildlife habitat. Prescribed fires are managed with firefighter and public safety as priority.

A final decision to proceed with a prescribed fire on the SFNF depends on agency administrator approval, resource availability, and favorable conditions including fuel moisture levels, air quality and forecast weather. After ignitions are complete, fire crews will move into a strategy of securing and holding the fire within control lines and patrolling the fire area to mitigate the risk of fire spread.

There will be a temporary area and road closure during project implementation from September 26, 2024, at 7:00 a.m. through October 1, 2024, at 12:00 a.m. to protect public health and safety.

The closure order covers:

• The described area starting at the intersection of FR 376 and FR 534, following FR 534 west to the intersection with FR 376H, then following FR 376H southeast to the intersection with FR 376, and FR 376 north to the intersection with FR 534.
• The described road is FR 376 from the gate north of Gilman Tunnels to the gate at Porter Landing.

The Jemez Ranger Station will be open to the public from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday September 28, for Joaquin North Prescribed Fire Information or to purchase Fuelwood Permits. For more information on the North Joaquin prescribed fire contact the Jemez District Office by phone (575) 829-3535 or visit the office at 51 Woodsy Lane, Jemez Springs, NM 87025. To learn more about fire management visit the SFNF website, NM Fire Info, and SFNF social media (Facebook and X).

###

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.