SANTA FE, NM – Jan. 5, 2021 – After completing the Thompson Ridge, Cat Mesa and Hillside prescribed pile burns, fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) plan to take advantage of favorable conditions, including snowpack, fuel moisture levels, air quality, wind direction and weather forecasts, to implement additional pile burns on the […]

SANTA FE, NM – Dec. 11, 2020 – Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) are looking at a potential window between Dec. 14, 2020, and March 31, 2021, to implement the previously announced La Cueva and Rowe Mesa prescribed burns to reduce the risk of wildfire. The 133-acre La Cueva pile burn […]

SANTA FE, NM – Dec. 10, 2020 – After a successful test ignition, crews are continuing with the previously announced Cat Mesa pile burns today to reduce the amount of hazardous fuels on the ground. The winter storm currently moving through New Mexico has created optimal conditions to burn slash piles. Snow on the ground […]

SANTA FE, NM – Dec. 3, 2020 – After successful test ignitions, crews are proceeding with the previously announced Hyde Park and Cat Mesa pile burns today to reduce the amount of hazardous fuels on the ground. The recent winter storm that moved through New Mexico helped create optimal conditions to burn slash piles. Snow […]

SANTA FE, NM – Dec. 2, 2020 – Taking the favorable winter weather into consideration, fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) are considering an additional pile burn this week, adding the previously announced Cat Mesa prescribed pile burn on the Jemez Ranger District to the list for implementation if conditions are favorable. […]

SANTA FE, NM – Dec. 1, 2020 – Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) are looking at a potential window this week to implement the previously announced Hyde Park and Thompson Ridge prescribed pile burns to reduce the risk of wildfire. The 132-acre Hyde Park pile burn near Black Canyon Campground on […]

SANTA FE, NM – Nov. 10, 2020 – The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) will lift campfire and smoking restrictions effective 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020, based on decreasing fire danger. The forest implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions on Oct. 23 to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfire during extreme drought conditions, historically low […]

SANTA FE, NM – Nov. 5, 2020 – Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) are monitoring conditions on the ground to find potential windows to burn piles of woody debris in several previously thinned areas across the forest. Forest restoration treatments, including thinning and prescribed fire, help reduce hazardous fuels, improve wildlife […]

SANTA FE, NM – Oct. 22, 2020 – The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) is implementing Stage 1 fire restrictions to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfire during extreme drought conditions, historically low fuel moisture levels and very high fire danger. The Stage 1 restrictions will go into effect forest-wide at 6 a.m. on Friday, […]

SANTA FE, NM – Oct. 12, 2020 – A green pocket of fuel surrounded by black inside the Medio Fire perimeter is burning, putting up visible smoke but posing no threat to any values at risk. Local fire resources are monitoring the interior pocket which is about a quarter of a mile from the Medio […]

SANTA FE, NM – Sept. 30, 2020 – Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) are looking at a potential window to implement the previously announced La Presa prescribed burn on Mesa los Indios near Forest Road 473. If conditions are favorable, crews could treat the 1,200-acre unit as early as the last […]

SANTA FE, NM – Sept. 17, 2020 – Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) are taking a carefully considered look at resuming the limited use of prescribed fire to reduce hazardous fuels, improve wildlife habitat, and create healthier, more resilient forest and watershed ecosystems. A final decision on whether to proceed with […]

This will be the final update on the Medio Fire unless conditions change. Start date: Aug. 17, 2020             Cause: Lightning              Size: 4,010 acres              Containment: 100% Location: Rio en Medio Trail, Española Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest Current status:  The Medio Fire is 100% contained.  Firefighters are monitoring the perimeter to ensure the lines are […]

Start date: Aug. 17, 2020             Cause: Lightning              Size: 4,010 acres              Containment: 95% Location: Rio en Medio Trail, Española Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest Current status:  Moisture and cooler temperatures over the last few days minimized fire growth on the northeast corner of the Medio Fire, pushing into the fire scar from the 2011 Pacheco […]

SANTA FE, NM – Sept. 10, 2020 – The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) will lift campfire and smoking restrictions effective 8 a.m. tomorrow, Sept. 11, 2020, due to widespread moisture across the forest and decreasing fire danger. The forest implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions on Aug. 26 to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfire […]

Start date: Aug. 17, 2020             Cause: Lightning              Size: 4,010 acres                           Containment: 95% Location: Rio en Medio Trail, Española Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest Current status:  The Medio Fire received substantial precipitation overnight minimizing fire behavior and growth. No flooding has been reported. […]

Start date: Aug. 17, 2020             Cause: Lightning              Size: 4,010 acres                           Containment: 95% Location: Rio en Medio Trail, Española Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest Current status:  Containment lines continue to hold as strong winds from the northwest pushed the Medio Fire into the […]

Start date: Aug. 17, 2020             Cause: Lightning              Size: 3,948 acres              Containment: 90% Location: Rio en Medio Trail, Española Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest Current status:  The Medio Fire continues to burn dead and down timber in the northeast corner, pushing into the fire scar from the 2011 Pacheco Fire. Fire activity added 50 acres […]

Closure Order Prohibits the Public from Entering the Area Start date: Aug. 17, 2020             Cause: Lightning              Size: 3,898 acres              Containment: 90% Location: Rio en Medio Trail, Española Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest Current status:  The Medio Fire made a little push on the northeast corner into the fire scar from the 2011 Pacheco Fire, […]