SFNF Plans Prescribed Burn on Española District

By SFNF

Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) are tentatively planning a 105-acre prescribed burn on Borrego Mesa on the Española Ranger District a week from today, Friday, Oct. 15. The treatment area is located approximately two miles east of the community of Cordova. Crews will complete the Borrego Mesa prescribed burn in one day.

A final decision on whether to proceed with a specific prescribed burn on the SFNF will depend on multiple conditions, including resource availability, fuel moisture levels, air quality and forecasted weather. Prescribed burns are designed to meet specific objectives and are always managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority.

Prescribed fires are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire-adapted ecosystems and reducing the risk of high-severity wildfire. Fire managers use prescribed fire to improve forest health, remove hazardous fuels, increase firefighter safety, enhance wildlife habitat, and protect communities and watersheds.

The SFNF manages all prescribed fires in compliance with New Mexico state regulations on air quality and smoke management. Smoke from the Borrego Mesa prescribed burn will likely be visible from Cordova, Truchas, Cundiyo and Española and may linger in the area for a few days after ignitions are concluded.

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 tohttps://facnm.org/smoke#smokeanchor5.

Fire updates will be posted on the New Mexico Fire Information website and on the Santa Fe National Forest’s Facebook and Twitter pages. For more information, contact the Española Ranger District at 505-757-6121.