Forest Service completed critical fall and winter fuels reduction work across the forest. Courtesy photo
SFNF News:
SANTA FE — The Santa Fe National Forest has completed its fall 2025 and winter 2026 prescribed fire operations, calling out all prescribed fires after an infrared flight confirmed no remaining heat. Personnel will continue to patrol burn units as part of standard postfire procedures.
To confirm that all prescribed fire units were out, fire managers ordered a fixed wing aircraft equipped with a military grade infrared camera capable of detecting heat sources as small as a dinner plate. The flight confirmed no detectable heat in any of the fall 2025 or winter 2026 units.
The Santa Fe National Forest does not plan to implement any spring prescribed fire projects and will instead focus on preparing resources for potential wildfires this season.
Prescribed fire reduces overgrown vegetation to help protect communities, infrastructure and natural resources from future wildfires. During the fall and winter burn windows, the forest treated approximately 1,380 acres across the Cuba, Jemez and Española ranger districts.
For updates on fire management, visit the forest website or follow the Santa Fe National Forest on social media (Facebook and X).
About the Forest Service
The Forest Service has, for more than 100 years, brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.
The infrared camera will pick up heat as a bright white light. Visit the Santa Fe National Forest to view a video of the IR flight. Courtesy photo