Santa Fe National Forest prescribed burn. Courtesy/USDA

SFNF News:

Los Alamos Fire Department and the Santa Fe National Forest plan to conduct a prescribed Saturday through Monday in Deer Trap Canyon.

The burn will occur if conditions, including fuel moisture levels, air quality and weather forecasts, are favorable. 

The Deer Trap Canyon prescribed pile burn will be conducted east of Los Alamos. Small blocks may be treated each day to decrease the daily smoke volume.

Prescribed fires are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire-dependent ecosystems. These fires mimic natural fires by reducing forest fuels, recycling nutrients and increasing habitat diversity. The Los Alamos prescribed pile burn is designed to remove dead forest fuels, provide community protection and promote forest health. Prescribed fires are managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority. 

Smoke from the prescribed burn will be monitored to ensure that the New Mexico Environment Department’s Air Quality Bureau regulations are met. Smoke will likely be visible from the communities of Santa Clara, Espanola and Santa Fe and from N.M. 502 and N.M. 285. 

Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Environment Department’s website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

For additional information about these prescribed burns, contact the Los Alamos Fire Department at 505.695.6729 or 505.709.8455.