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SFNF Issues Temporary Area Closure for Naranjo Fire Operations

By SFNF

The Santa Fire National Forest (SFNF) today issued a temporary closure order for a portion of the Cuba Ranger District to provide for public and firefighter safety during operations on the Naranjo Fire.

The restricted area starts at the intersection of Forest Road (FR) 96 and the SFNF boundary and goes east to San Jose Creek, then follows the creek to the San Jose Trailhead, then goes to Naranjo Creek to the SFNF boundary and back to FR 96. The closure order and a map of the restricted area are posted on the SFNF website’s listing of current closures.

The lightning-caused Naranjo Fire started on July 1 approximately 2 miles southeast of Regina, NM. Based on current and forecasted conditions, fire managers determined that the Naranjo Fire provided an opportunity to use a natural ignition to achieve significant benefits on the ground, including improved forest health, reduced fuel loadings and improved wildlife habitat.

Fire crews added low-intensity fire to the ground yesterday and today to treat up to 1,070 acres and reduce the risk of high-intensity wildfire by reducing fine fuels and woody debris on the forest floor. Crews will monitor the Naranjo Fire over the next few days.

The closure order is in effect until July 22, 2019, unless it is rescinded earlier. Federal, state and local officers, members of an organized rescue team or firefighting force, landowners accessing their private property and any others authorized by permit are exempt from the closure order.

Violation of the closure order is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, imprisonment of not more than six months, or both.

Fire updates are posted on the New Mexico Fire Information website at www.nmfireinfo.com, www.facebook.com/SantaFeNF and Twitter @SantafeNF.  For additional information about the Naranjo Fire, please contact the Cuba Ranger District at 575-289-3264.

Naranjo Fire

July 11, 2019

Start date: July 1, 2019

Cause: Lightning

Size: 1,009 acres; the fire increased by 270 acres as a result of yesterday’s firing operations within the containment lines

Location: Cuba Ranger District on the Santa Fe National Forest approximately 2 miles southeast of Regina, NM, off of NM State Highway 96

Containment: 20%

Fuel: Ponderosa pine

Weather: Partly cloudy with isolated showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Temperatures will be between 86-90 degrees, with southeast winds 5-10 mph shifting to the southwest in the afternoon. Humidity is 14-18%.

Resources on scene: Type 3 Organization, 111 personnel, one type 1 crew, two type 2IA crews, one type 3 engine, two dozers, one type 3 helicopter, four UTVs and two ATVs

Closure: A forest closure has been implemented for the Naranjo Fire area.

Situation:  The fire is 20% contained on the southeastern side. Yesterday’s firing operations were successful, and firing operations are now complete. Today, crews will monitor the fire within the containment lines. Fire resources will start to be released from the incident.

Smoke will likely be visible from US Highway 550, NM Highway 96, Cuba, Regina, La Jara, Los Alamos and Santa Fe.

The Naranjo Fire is being managed for multiple resource benefits, including improved forest health, reduced fuel loadings and improved wildlife habitat for elk and deer.

Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health by using the 5-3-1 visibility method can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website at https://nmtracking.org/fire. People with health concerns can also call NMDOH at 505-827-0006 for additional information. For information on the HEPA filter loan program, go to https://facnm.org/smoke#smokeanchor5.

Fire updates are posted on the New Mexico Fire Information website at www.nmfireinfo.com, www.facebook.com/SantaFeNF and Twitter @SantafeNF.  For additional information about the Naranjo Fire, please contact the Cuba Ranger District at 575-289-3264.

 

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