Map of the 2,227-acre Rincon prescribed fire on French Mesa, off Forest Road 8, on the Coyote Ranger District to start as early as Sept. 14, 2023. Courtesy photo
SFNF News:
SANTA FE — Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) are tentatively planning the 2,227-acre Rincon prescribed burn on French Mesa, off Forest Road 8, on the Coyote Ranger District starting as early as Sept. 14, 2023.
The project area is approximately seven miles north of the community of Gallina. The Rincon prescribed fire is part of the Rio Chama Collaborative Landscape Restoration Project that encompasses 3.8 million acres, spanning federal, state tribal and private lands in New Mexico and Colorado with the aim of restoring the forested headwaters of the Rio Chama and Rio Grande rivers. It may take two days to complete the fire, pending agency administrator approval and existing conditions.
All new prescribed fires planned and implemented on the SFNF, including the Rincon, will incorporate the guidance in the Forest Service Chief’s National Prescribed Fire Program Review, including using the most recent science and modeling, ensuring contingency resources are more readily available, integrating drought monitoring, increasing patrols, and completing a daily go/ no-go evaluation of conditions. A final decision on whether to proceed with a specific prescribed fire on the SFNF will depend on agency administrator approval, resource availability, fuel moisture levels, air quality and forecast weather. Prescribed fires are designed to meet specific objectives and are always managed with firefighter and public safety as the priority.
Prescribed fires are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire dependent ecosystems and reducing the risk of high-severity wildfire. Fire managers use prescribed fire to improve forest health, remove hazardous fuels, increase firefighter safety, enhance wildlife habitat, and protect communities and watersheds.
To learn more about what the SFNF is doing differently around prescribed fire, please see the recorded presentation “Changes to the USFS Prescribed Fire Program on the Santa Fe National Forest”, pinned to the top of the U.S. Forest Service – Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page: U.S. Forest Service-Santa Fe National Forest | Santa Fe NM | Facebook
The SFNF manages all prescribed fires in compliance with New Mexico state regulations on air quality and smoke management. Smoke from the Rincon prescribed fire will likely be visible from Regina, Llaves, Gallina, Coyote and Abiquiu and may linger in the area for a few days after ignitions are concluded.
Further details for the prescribed fire:
- There will be a Public Meeting about the Rincon Prescribed fire on Friday, Sept.r 8, 2023, 5-6:30 p.m. at the Coyote District Office, 20 Private Drive 1707, Coyote NM 87012.
- 2227-acre prescribed fire on French Mesa, off Forest Road 8, on the Coyote Ranger District located approximately seven miles north of the community of Gallina.
- Planned implementation start date: Sept. 14, 2023
Plan Ahead
Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health by using the 5-3-1 visibility method can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website at https://nmtracking.org/fire. People with health concerns can also call NMDOH at 505.827.0006 for additional information. For information on the HEPA filter loan program, go to https://facnm.org/smoke#smokeanchor5.
Fire updates will be posted on the New Mexico Fire Information website and on the Santa Fe National Forest’s Facebook and Twitter pages. For more information, contact the Coyote Ranger District at 575.638.5526.