U.S. Forest Service News:

SANTA FE– Fire managers at the Santa Fe National Forest are planning to conduct prescribed pile burns on the Cuba Ranger District.

The Cedar Springs and Chaparral prescribed pile burns may be conducted from Nov.13 through March 30 only on favorable days as conditions allow. 

The Cedar Springs prescribed pile burn is a total of 160 acres in the area north of the community of LLaves and Dead Man’s Peak Lookout. The Chaparral prescribed pile burn is a total of 120 acres north of the community of Gilman and south of the Rancho del Chaparral Girl Scout Camp near Cuba.  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 Cedar Springs and Chaparral prescribed pile burns are 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 both prescribed burns will be monitored to ensure that the New Mexico Environment Department’s Air Quality Bureau regulations are being met.  Smoke from the Cedar Springs prescribed burn will likely be visible from La Jara, Cuba, Regina, Lindrith, El Vado and Highway 96.  Smoke from the Chaparral prescribed burn will likely be visible from the communities of Jemez Springs, Gilman, Canon, Jemez Pueblo, and San Ysidro as well as N.M. 4 and Highway 550. 

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.