Santa Fe National Forest Pile Burn Update

Fire crews took advantage of snowy conditions over the weekend to conduct pile burns in the Cuba, Jemez, and Española Ranger Districts.

In the Cuba Ranger District, crews successfully treated 203 acres on the American Park/Rock Creek piles.

In the Jemez Ranger District, 17 acres were treated on the San Diego Egress unit.

In the Española Ranger District, crews completed 50 acres in the Tesuque pile burn unit.

Santa Fe National Forest fire managers will continue hazardous fuels reduction work throughout the winter as weather conditions allow, pending all required approvals. Pile burning is meant to treat slash, like branches, piled by thinning crews with the aim of reducing flammable fuels. The decision to proceed with each pile burn will depend on multiple factors, including snowpack, air quality, ventilation, forecast weather and wind, and resource availability. We use prescribed fire to help reduce overgrown vegetation and protect local communities, infrastructure, and natural resources from wildfires.

To learn more, visit the SFNF website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/santafe/fire/prescribed-fire