Small Prescribed Burn Planned in Little Tesuque Creek

By Santa Fe County

Fire Managers of the Santa Fe County Fire Department (SFCFD) are planning to take advantage of snowpack conditions, including the fuel moisture levels, air quality, and the weather to conduct a one or two day prescribed pile burn in the Little Tesuque Creek (located below Hyde Park Estates) from Wednesday, January 31 to Thursday, February 01, 2018. (Please note, during the prescribed pile burn, the Little Tesuque Creek Trail will be closed). The Burn is being conducted in cooperation with the United States Forrest Service Santa Fe National Forest.

The twenty acre treatment area is approximately four miles north east of the City of Santa Fe on the North end of Hyde Park Estates (Stone Ridge) and adjacent to the Santa Fe National Forest boundary, Espanola District. Impacts from the hand ignitions are expected to be minimal due to the location and small size of the treatment area.

The Little Tesuque Prescribed Pile Burn will reduce the potential for crown fire initiation and spread within the Little Tesuque Creek area by reducing surface, ladder, and crown fuels. The Little Tesuque prescribed pile burn will reduce the risk of a high-severity crown fire and help to protect the livelihood and properties of Hyde Park Estates. A secondary objective is to increase herbaceous ground cover to improve long-term soil stability and vegetative diversity (Ecological/ Ecosystem Management).

Due to the location of the Little Tesuque Prescribed Pile Burn and its proximity to the city and terrain that tends to direct smoke towards Santa Fe, populated areas within its boundaries may be impacted.

Smoke will be visible from Santa Fe, State Road 475, State Road 590, State Road 84/285, Bishops Lodge, and Tesuque Village. Smoke may settle into lower elevations overnight, but should lift by mid-morning. Lingering smoke may be present for up to two days after ignitions are complete.

Smoke-sensitive individuals and/or individuals with respiratory or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the NMDOH website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.