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Jemez RD to begin piles burns in February

By SFNF

To take advantage of favorable conditions, to include fuel moisture levels, air quality, and weather forecasts, fire managers on the Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) expect to begin ignitions on piles between February 4 and February 14 to reduce the risk of high-severity wildfire.

 

Weather permitting, crews plan to treat up to 475 acres of piles located three to eight miles northeast of Jemez Springs.

 

The piles will be burned as three different operations.  The Pino West piles are located approximately five miles northeast of Jemez Springs along the north end of Forest Road 10, and will be up to 260 acres.  The Vallecitos piles are located about three to eight miles northeast of Jemez Springs, one mile southwest of Vallecitos de los Indios, north of Cat and San Juan Mesas on Forest Road 135 west of Forest Road 10, and will be up to 75 acres.  The Joaquin piles area is located 6.5 miles north of Gilman, just south of Porter Landing and will be up to 140 acres.

               

Smoke may be visible from Jemez Pueblo, Jemez Springs, Highway 4, Thompson Ridge, Sierra Los Pinos, Ponderosa and La Cueva.

 

Prescribed burns are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire adapted ecosystems.  The prescribed burns mimic natural fires by reducing forest fuels, recycling nutrients and increasing habitat diversity.

 

Prescribed burns are managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority.

 

Information on air quality and protecting your health using the 5-3-1 visibility method can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health’s website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.  For information on the HEPA filter loan program, go to https://www.santafefireshed.org/hepa-filter-loan-program/.

 

For any questions, please contact either the Jemez Ranger District at (575) 829-3535.

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