North Joaquin Prescribed Fire

Location: Located in the Jemez Ranger District, the project area is located approximately 6 miles west of Jemez Springs and 3 miles south of Rancho de Chaparral Girl Scout Camp

Prescribed fire start date: Ignitions began Thursday September 26 and continued through Saturday

September 28.

Size: 1,701-acre project area

Completion: On Saturday, September 28, fire managers completed the 1,701 acre project area.

Prescribed fire operations: Firefighters have secured the perimeter of the prescribed fire unit.

Ignitions completed on Saturday, and now fire crews will transition into a strategy of securing and holding the fire within control lines and patrolling the fire area to mitigate the risk of fire spread.

Smoke Impacts: Smoke may be visible from Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Bernalillo, Jemez Springs, San Ysidro, Cuba, and the Pueblo of Jemez. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautions. To learn more about how the New Mexico Environment Department Smoke Management Program ensures prescribed fires are carried out safely visit Smoke Management Program (nm.gov). For information on the HEPA filter loan program, go to https://facnm.org/smoke#smokeanchor5

Objectives: The North Joaquin prescribed fire is part of the Chaparral National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) decision with the objectives to restore fire dependent ecosystems, protect communities from high severity wildfire, and enhance wildlife habitat. Prescribed fires are managed with firefighter and public safety as priority.

Closure: There will be a temporary area and road closure during project implementation from September 26, 2024, at 7:00 a.m. through October 1, 2024, at 12:00 a.m. to protect public health and safety.

The closure order covers:

• The described area starting at the intersection of FR 376 and FR 534, following FR 534 west to the intersection with FR 376H, then following FR 376H southeast to the intersection with FR 376, and FR 376 north to the intersection with FR 534.
• The described road is FR 376 from the gate north of Gilman Tunnels to the gate at Porter Landing.

Prescribed fire information: This will be the hnal update for the North Joaquin prescribed fire. Lo learn more about fire management visit the SFNF website, NM Fire Info, and SFNF social media (Facebook and X).