SantaFeToday.com Santa Fe’s Hometown News
By SFNF
Start date: May 9, 2021 Cause: Lightning
Location: 9 miles east of Pecos and 3 miles southwest of the Barillas Lookout on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF)
Size: 1,621 acres after implementing management strategy to add low- to moderate-intensity fire to the ground to achieve resource benefit and reduce the risk of high-severity wildfire in the future
Resources: 1 Hotshot crew and 4 engines
Fuels: Ponderosa pine, piñon-juniper, Douglas fir and oak brush
Operations: The Cuervito Fire received less moisture than some of the surrounding area overnight, and unburned fuels on the interior were active today. Crews used hand ignitions on the interior to reinforce control lines, putting up some smoke in the process. Crews continued securing line and mopping up for the remainder of the day.
Weather: Tonight will be clear with 0% chance of precipitation and winds from the west at 15 to 20mph. Temperatures will be above normal during the first half of the week as the area dries out from weekend storms.
Values at risk: Private property nearby
Smoke: Smoke management is a key part of the planning and implementation of managed wildfire. Smoke from the Cuervito Fire may impact Santa Fe, Pecos, Las Vegas, Rowe, Glorieta, La Cueva, North and South San Ysidro, Ilfeld, San Jose, San Juan, Tecolote, Soham, Ribera, Serafina, Bernal, Anton Chico, Mineral Hill, San Geronimo and Pablo as well as the I-25 corridor. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to search for current smoke information.
Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. 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 at https://nmtracking.org/fire.
Fire updates will be posted on the SFNF website,New Mexico Fire Information website and on theSanta Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.
