Courtesy/USDASFNF News:
SANTA FE ― Fire managers on the Cuba Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) plan to begin ignitions today on the Cedar Springs prescribed burn to reduce the risk of high-severity wildfire.
Conditions, which include fuel moisture levels, air quality, winds and weather forecasts are favorable for ignitions. Up to 500 acres of hazardous fuels may be treated per day by hand and air ignitions in the Cedar Springs area. The total prescribed burn area is 1,454 acres.
Forest Roads 6 and 7 will remain open, but travelers are discouraged from traveling the roads during times of prescribed burn activities. Also, try to avoid camping in the vicinity due to the high potential for smoke.
Smoke will likely be visible from La Jara, Cuba, Regina, Lindrith, El Vado, Chama, Abiquiu, Tierra Amarilla, Highway 96 and US Highway 84 Smoke may settle into lower elevations and in drainage areas during the evenings, but should lift by mid-morning.
Prescribed burns are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire adapted ecosystems. The prescribed burns mimic natural fires by reducing forest fuels, recycling nutrients and increasing habitat diversity. The Cedar Springs prescribed burn, as it removes dead forest fuels, will also promote forest health.
Prescribed burns are managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority.
Information on air quality and protecting your health using the 5-3-1 visibility method can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health’s website at https://nmtracking.org/fire. For information on the HEPA filter loan program, go to https://www.santafefireshed.org/hepa-filter-loan-program/.
For additional information about the Cedar Springs prescribed burn, contact the Cuba Ranger District at 575.289.3264.
