Santa Fe National Forest Prescribed Pile Burn Update

January 28, 2025 by SFNFPAO 0 Comments

Critical News Update on Prescribed Fire

Santa Fe, N.M., January 28, 2025 — Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest plan to take advantage of winter weather conditions this week and may begin ignitions on the Cuba, Jemez, and Española districts. The decision to proceed with each pile burn will depend on several factors, including snowpack, air quality, ventilation, forecast weather conditions, wind, and resource availability. The following projects will be implemented as early as January 29:

Cuba District

The 209-acre Rock Creek Piles located adjacent to Forest Roads 103 and 69 and along the Rito Penas Negras corridor. This is comprised of 2 units, unit nine (6 acres) and unit 2 (203 acres). These piles are made up of slash from forestry projects.

Jemez District

The 239-acre Horseshoe Piles located adjacent to State Road 126 and Forest Road 376 near the community of La Cueva. These piles were created for watershed and community protection.
The 1-acre Thompson Ridge Slash Pile located north of the community of Thompson Ridge near the junction of State Highways 4 and 126. This pile burn is comprised of organic material from homeowner fuels reduction projects.
The 14-acre San Diego Egress Piles located approximately 2 miles north of Jemez Springs. These piles were created to protect private land in San Diego Canyon.

Española District

The 42 remaining acres of the Hyde Park Piles (North Ridge Unit) located above Black Canyon Campground off State Road 475. These piles were created for protection of Hyde Memorial State Park and Black Canyon Campground.
The 69-acre Tesuque Creek Piles located between Hyde Park Road and Forest Road 102. These piles were created for watershed protection and forest restoration.

Once pile burn projects are completed, resources will shift towards patrolling and monitoring these units. Fire crews will utilize infrared detection devices, such as handheld thermal cameras and Uncrewed Aerial Systems (fixed-wing or drones), to assist in determining when to call the pile burns out.

To Learn More

As pile burn locations and dates are confirmed, the SFNF will post regular updates to our SFNF Website and social media pages (Facebook and X).
To join the forest news release email list, send a request to our public affairs inbox SM.FS.sfnfpao@usda.gov. Prescribed fire information will be posted to NM Fire Info and InciWeb.
District fire staff will contact residents, businesses, landowners, cooperators, local fire departments and smoke sensitive individuals, and proper signage will be placed where appropriate and needed. Contact district offices for specific information.