SFNF May Implement Rowe Mesa Prescribed Burn

By SFNF

If conditions remain favorable, fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) may begin implementation of the previously announced East Rowe Mesa prescribed burn on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District as early as tomorrow.

The decision to proceed will depend on multiple factors, including resource availability, fuel moisture levels, air quality, ventilation, and forecasted weather and winds. During the COVID-19 pandemic, fire managers consider smoke impacts to communities before making a final decision to implement a prescribed fire.

The plan for tomorrow is to burn 110 acres of slash within the larger 4,455-acre East Rowe Mesa treatment unit located east of NM State Road 34 approximately 10 miles south of the village of Pecos. For additional information, refer to the SFNF press release issued on Feb. 11, 2021.

Smoke from the Rowe Mesa prescribed burn may impact the communities of Santa Fe, Pecos, Las Vegas, Rowe, Glorieta, La Cueva, North and South San Ysidro, Ilfeld, San Jose, San Juan, Tecolote, Soham, Ribera, Serafina, Bernal and Anton Chico as well as the I-25 corridor, Forest Road 34, County Road63A and the Pecos National Historical Park.

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 can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website. Information on the Forest Stewards Guild’s HEPA Filter Loan Program is available here.

Fire updates will be posted on the SFNF website, New Mexico Fire Information website and on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.

For more information on the Rowe Mesa prescribed burn, contact the Pecos Ranger Station at 505-757-6121 or the Las Vegas Ranger Station at 505-425-3534.