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Santa Fe Watershed Prescribed Burn

Beginning in March 2013 Fire Managers of the Espanola Range District will be looking for suitable conditions to conduct a prescribed burn in the Santa Fe Watershed. Fire personnel will treat 464-acres of hazardous fuels (Block C) using both hand and aerial ignition. Blocks A and B have been previously treated with prescribed fire within the last two years. Once implemented the burn is expected to last for up to five days.

Prescribed burning is the managed application of fire to wildland fuels (woody material) under specified conditions, within predetermined boundaries in an effort to reduce hazardous fuels, provide community protection, and restore forest health. Our goal is to minimize the smoke impact on the City of Santa Fe during our prescribed burns while also meeting objectives. Conducting this burn during the spring will offer longer days, cool nights and better windows for good ventilation.

Prior to the burn, Fire Managers will consider many factors including: fuel moisture levels, weather forecasts, resource availability, and air quality. All these factors are taken into account before operations are implemented.

The Santa Fe National Forest is committed to protecting sensitive areas from smoke to the greatest extent possible. Our top priority is public well-being and safety. Through the reduction of hazardous fuels, we can minimize the threat of devastating wildfires.

For more information, please call the Española Ranger District at (505) 753-7331 or visit www.fs.fed.us/r3/sfe

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