SFNF News:
SANTA FE – As the vicinity of the Cuervito Fire received welcome moisture over the last few days, the Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) is wrapping up operations and preparing to turn command of the fire back to the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) at 6 a.m. Friday morning.
Since lightning sparked the Cuervito Fire on Mother’s Day, crews have successfully managed the naturally ignited wildfire to achieve significant resource benefits, reducing the buildup of hazardous fuels and the risk of high-severity fire in the future.
Location:Â 9 miles east of Pecos and 3 miles southwest of the Barillas Lookout on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District
Start Date:Â May 9, 2021
Size:Â Â Approximately 1,300 acres
Cause:Â Lightning
Resources Assigned:Â Â 37 personnel on scene, including 1Â hand crew and 3 engines
Fuels: Ponderosa pine, piñon-juniper, Douglas fir and oak brush
Operations:Â The area in proximity to the fire received up to half an inch of precipitation recently, effectively ending ignitions on the Cuervito Fire. Today crews focused on reinforcing the southern perimeter and securing all edges.
Weather:Â Â Possible showers and thunderstorms this evening will shift to warmer, drier conditions on Thursday. Prospects for more precipitation increase again on Friday. There is a 60% chance of precipitation tonight with winds out of the southeast at 10 to 15 mph.
Values at risk:Â Firefighter and public safety is always the number-one priority for the IMT. Values at risk include private property nearby.
Smoke:  Smoke management is a key part of the planning and implementation of managed wildfire. Smoke from the Cuervito Fire may impact the communities of Santa Fe, Pecos, Las Vegas, Rowe, Glorieta, La Cueva, North and South San Ysidro, Ilfeld, San Jose, San Juan, Tecolote, Soham, Ribera, Serafina, Bernal, Anton Chico, Mineral Hill, San Geronimo and Pablo as well as the I-25 corridor and the Pecos National Historical Park.
Safety: 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 can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website. Information on the Forest Stewards Guild’s HEPA Filter Loan Program is available here.
Fire updates will be posted on the SFNF website, New Mexico Fire Information website, Inciweb and on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.
