Jemez Springs, NM — The National Park Service (NPS) plans prescribed fires in the southwest corner of Valles Caldera National Preserve this spring to reduce hazardous fuels,  improve wildlife habitat, and create healthier forest and watershed ecosystems. Fire managers with Valles Caldera National Preserve will take advantage of expected favorable conditions to conduct two broadcast […]

Jemez Springs —Valles Caldera National Preserve is looking for opportunities to implement prescribed burning, consisting of broadcast and/or pile burning, starting as early as October 22nd and as late as mid-December. The prescribed burns will target up to 622-acres in the Banco Bonito area with broadcast burning, up to 112-acres in the Seco area via […]

Jemez Springs, NM – On Monday evening the Hidden Valley Fire received approximately .49 inches of rain, further reducing fire behavior. The chance for monsoonal rains and thunderstorms will remain high in the afternoons through the end of the week and minimal fire behavior is predicted for the Hidden Valley Fire.   With decreased complexity, […]

Jemez Springs, NM – Firefighters on Sunday completed firing operations on the lightning-caused Hidden Valley Fire. Through the successful management of this naturally caused fire, the preserve was able to safely decrease fuel loads on 585 acres of forest on South Mountain and reduce the risk of undesired fire behavior in the future. “We’re grateful for all […]

Jemez Springs, NM – Firing operations to manage the lightning-caused Hidden Valley fire are expected to be completed today. Yesterday, favorable conditions allowed fire fighters to treat an additional 150 acres on the south and southwest portions of South Mountain, for a total of approximately 450 acres. Smoke from management operations will be visible from all […]

Jemez Springs, NM – Fire crews will resume firing operations today to manage the lightning-caused Hidden Valley Fire at Valles Caldera National Preserve. Yesterday, favorable conditions allowed fire fighters to treat over 300 acres on the east and northeast side of South Mountain. Smoke from management operations will be visible from all directions coming into […]

Jemez Springs – As part of managing the lightning-caused Hidden Valley Fire by reducing fuel loads in the area, fire crews will continue implementing firing operations today. Resources on scene include one hotshot crew, three type 2 IA crews, one fire use module, one rapid extraction module, and three engines. “Wildfire is a natural component […]

Jemez Springs, NM – As part of managing the lightning-caused Hidden Valley Fire by reducing fuel loads in the area, fire crews will begin implementing firing operations this afternoon. Because of the location and elevation, smoke from management operations will be visible from all directions coming into the Jemez Mountains area, and may linger in surrounding […]

The lightning-caused Hidden Valley Fire was first reported on Tuesday, July 17 around 3:30 pm on Valles Caldera National Preserve. The ¼-acre fire is currently burning within a recent forest thinning area on the north flank of South Mountain. Given favorable conditions, including monsoonal rains, high humidity, and the availability of fire crews, the preserve […]

Due to several days of higher humidity and rain, Bandelier National Monument and Valles Caldera National Preserve will lift fire restrictions, including backcountry closures, at 8:00 am on July 16, 2018. In addition, special use permittees and commercial use operators may resume their normal activities within the two National Park Service units. “Even though the […]

We greatly appreciate the support and generosity of our neighboring communities! The Albuquerque Zone Incident Management Type 3 Team’s  focus is on the mission of fire suppression while keeping firefighter and public safety our number one priority. Our wildland fire crews are well equipped and cared for. After many donation inquiries, here’s a list of […]

Yesterday’s rain aided firefighting efforts and kept the San Antonio Fire at 495 acres. The lightning-caused fire is located within the northwest area of Valles Caldera National Preserve. Fire activity was moderate with spots of creeping flames and smoldering timber. The historic cabin within the fire perimeter and the weather station and natural gas pipeline […]