Santa Fe National Forest fire managers tentatively plan prescribed fire projects in Cuba Ranger District

Fire managers from the Cuba Ranger District plan to begin ignitions on the 864-acre Sanchez prescribed fire and the 591-acre Golondrino Mesa prescribed fire as early as November 7, 2024. The project areas are located approximately eight miles northeast of Llaves, N.M. and are adjacent to the Rio Chama Wilderness. Both the Sanchez and Golondrino Mesa prescribed fire projects are part of the Golondrino National Environmental Polcy Act (NEPA) decision with the objectives to promote the important role fire plays in maintaining forest ecosystems, reduce hazardous fuels to protect communities from catastrophic uncharacteristic wildfire, and enhance wildlife habitat. Prescribed fires are managed with firefighter and public safety as priority.

Crews are prepping containment lines using natural features, roads, and past burned areas. Both the Sanchez and Golondrino Mesa prescribed fire perimeters are comprised of forest service roads. However, the Sanchez unit does have a half mile section of handline along the southern boundary. A final decision to proceed with a prescribed fire on the SFNF depends on agency administrator approval, resource availability, and favorable conditions including fuel moisture levels, air quality and forecast weather.

Fire managers are planning 1-2 days for implementation for each prescribed fire unit, using a combination of aerial and hand ignitions. After ignitions are complete, fire crews will move 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 from the Sanchez and Golondrino Mesa prescribed fires may be visible from Llaves, Cuba, Abiquiu, communities along State Highway 96 including Coyote, Gallina, Cañones, and Youngsville, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Bernalillo, Jemez Springs, San Ysidro, 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 the New Mexico Environment Department Smoke Management Program visit Smoke Management Program (nm.gov). For information on the HEPA filter loan program, go to https://facnm.org/smoke#smokeanchor5.

An informational community meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 30 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Regina Volunteer Fire Department located at 923 Highway 96, Cuba, N.M. During the meeting fire managers will provide information on the Sanchez and Golondrino Mesa prescribed fires and answer questions. To learn more about Cuba Ranger District prescribed fire projects call the District office at (575) 289-3264 or visit 04b, County Road 11 Cuba, N.M. 87013. For more on SFNF fire management visit the SFNF website, NM Fire Into, and SFNF social media (Facebook and X).