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Pacheco Wildfire Update for Monday, June 20 

Below is an update from the Santa Fe National Forrest -

Summary

Acres: 3,000
Start date: June 18, 2011Cause: Under Investigation
Location: 2 miles north of Santa Fe Ski BasinContainment: 0 percent
Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pineTerrain: Steep, rugged
Resources: 11 crews, 7 engines
Total personnel: 209
Available air support: 3 helicopters, 5 air tankers

The Arizona Central West Zone Incident Management Team, Clay Templin Incident Commander, assumed responsibility for the direction of the suppression efforts on the Pacheco Fire at 6:00 a.m. this morning.

Driven by strong, gusty winds, the Pacheco Fire was very active yesterday, running and spotting to the east northeast. Low relative humidity and dense dry fuels contributed to the extreme fire behavior. Such behavior is expected again today as high winds are again forecasted. The fire will again grow significantly into the Pecos Wilderness today. In spite of these extreme conditions, firefighters maintained and improved the established anchor and began constructing fire line at the south end of the fire.

The weather experienced recently is abnormal, more typical of early spring. Unusually strong Pacific troughs have brought multi-day wind events with strength typical of April and early May when temperatures are typically twenty degrees cooler. This, combined with the extended drought, has contributed to extreme fire behavior currently seen throughout the region.

Threats: The power line northeast of the Rio Medio remains threatened and is shut down at this time. No structures are immediately threatened. There are no evacuations at this time. Residents within Pacheco Canyon and hikers and campers near the Santa Fe Ski Basin, Aspen Basin, Aspen Vista and Big Tesuque are on alert.

Smoke: Smoke from the Pacheco Fire is drifting to the east northeast. This smoke may cause concerns to communities north and east of the fire such as Taos, Las Vegas, Mora and the smaller developments in the area. As the winds diminish in the evenings, atmospheric inversions often set up, trapping the smoke close to the ground and drainage winds push the smoke down into the canyons. With much of the Pacheco Fire in the Rio Nambe area, smoke can be expected to move into the area of Nambe at night. With winds aloft from the northwest at night, smoke may be expected in the area of Las Vegas. Additional impacts were felt Sunday afternoon with blowing dust and smoke from the Wallow Fire in eastern Arizona.

Visibility is an excellent measure of air quality. If visibility is ten miles or more, the air quality is good. Visibility of six to nine miles indicates moderate air quality. Three to five miles of visibility indicates conditions unhealthy for sensitive groups. One and a half to two and a half miles, the air quality is unhealthy. One to one and a quarter miles indicates, the air quality is very unhealthy. If visibility due to smoke is less than a mile, the air quality is hazardous. Smoke sensitive persons in affected areas may need to take action to mitigate the conditions. Remaining indoors, using air conditioning or temporarily moving to an unaffected area may be necessary. For more smoke information and air quality forecasts, please visit the New Mexico Environment Department’s website at http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/aqb/WildfireSmokeResources.htm.

Road Closures: New Mexico Route 475, also known as Hyde Park Road, and Artist Road are closed at mile post 9, the Forest boundary. Forest Service Road 102 to Pacheco Road is also closed. Campers and hikers are being asked to stay away from the fire area. Hiking on Rio Medio trail 163 is discouraged.

Fire Restrictions: The entire Santa Fe National Forest, encompassing 1.6 million acres, is under Stage 2 fire restrictions due to severe drought conditions and extreme fire danger. The Santa Fe National Forest includes National Forest System lands near Jemez, Cuba, Coyote, Gallina, Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Espanola, Pecos, Las Vegas and Mora. Under Stage 2 fire restrictions, campfires, smoking, explosives, fireworks, welding and driving off road are not allowed. Chainsaw use is not allowed from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Internal and external combustion engines are allowed with spark arresting devices properly installed, maintained and in effective working order. For a copy of the Stage 2 fire restriction order, please visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/sfe/.

Additional information and maps may be found at: www.inciweb.org 

Santa Fe National Forest Fire Information - How can YOU stay informed? 

The public can obtain fire information via the following:
• Contacts listed above.
• Forest Fire Management Hotline: 1-877-971-FIRE
• Santa Fe National Forest Website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/sfe 
• NM Fire Information Website: www.nmfireinfo.com 
• Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SantafeNF 
• To receive daily updates about active forest fires, please call Lawrence Lujan at 505-438-5321 or e-mail him at lmlujan@fs.fed.us to be added to our contact list.