SFNF News:

SANTA FE — After receiving questions from the public about the previously announced thinning project in Pacheco Canyon scheduled for July 25-27, the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) wishes to clarify that what the work crews will be doing just north of Santa Fe is thinning only.

A one-mile segment of the Winsor Trail just south of Forest Road (FR) 102 will be closed during that three-day period to provide for public safety. 

Forest Service Chief Randy Moore announced May 20, 2022, a 90-day pause of prescribed fire operations to review protocols and practices for prescribed burning after the Las Dispensas prescribed burn on the SFNF escaped and caused the Hermits Peak Fire.

“The Santa Fe National Forest is observing the 90-day pause, along with every other national forest across the country. But we are going to go above and beyond that,” Acting Forest Supervisor James Duran said. “We plan to work closely with our partners who are committed to reducing the risk of high-severity wildfire and to engage with our communities before we return to implementing prescribed fire on the ground so that we are bringing the very best science, tools and lessons learned to the critical work of managing our public lands.”

The thinning project on the Española Ranger District is designed to reduce overcrowding and restore a more natural forest structure with gaps in the canopy. Thinning overly dense stands reduces competition for nutrients and moisture and makes forested areas more resilient to stressors like wildfire, drought, and insects and disease.

The 145-acre thinning project, funded under the Reserve Treaty Rights Land (RTRL) program, is part of the ongoing Pacheco Canyon Resiliency Project aimed at improving forest health and reducing fire risk. Partners include the Pueblo of Tesuque, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Santa Fe County Fire Department, Los Alamos County Fire Department and City of Santa Fe Fire Department.

Mountain bikers and hikers are again reminded that they will not be able to follow the Winsor Trail from Ski Santa Fe to Tesuque from July 25-27. Trail guards will be posted to prevent forest visitors from entering the area while the work is completed.

For more information, contact the Española Ranger District at 505.753.7331. Stay up to date on SFNF news by checking the SFNF website.