SFNF News:SANTA FE ― If favorable conditions allow, to include acceptable fuel moisture levels, air quality and weather forecasts, fire managers on the Espanola Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) may begin a broadcast burn on the Borrego Mesa fuelwood unit as early as Monday, Oct. 22.
Up to 200 acres on the Borrego Mesa fuelwood unit may be treated with a focus on heavier slash left by wood cutting to reduce the risk of high-severity wildfire.
The area is approximately five miles East of Cordova, and five miles South of Truchas. Smoke may be visible from Santa Fe, Espanola, Tesuque, Truchas, Cordova, Penasco and El Rito. Smoke is expected to 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 burns mimic natural fires by reducing forest fuels, recycling nutrients and increasing habitat diversity. The Borrego prescribed burn will specifically remove dead forest fuels, provide community protection and promote forest health. Prescribed burns are managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority.
Smoke/Air Quality: 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’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/.
Fire updates are posted on the New Mexico Fire Information website at www.nmfireinfo.com and on Twitter @SantaFeNF, and www.facebook.com/SantaFeNF.
For more information, contact the Española Ranger Station at 505.753.7331.
