Archive for Fire Info
Weather Permitting, Sandia Ranger District Continuing Prescribed Burning Program Tuesday, February 25, 2014
by Karen Takai, Sandia Ranger District
Tijeras NM, February 24, 2014: The Sandia Ranger District will be continuing with the Hondo prescribed burn program, February 25, 2014 weather permitting. The East Mountain indices are at Moderate in the project area. What that means is that area is still safe for a prescribed burn project. We are carefully watching the weather for tomorrow and will notify you when and if it does happen. Please note the fires you are hearing about are in the Bosque area are one to two indices higher than ours. (Fire Danger Ratings)
There are 10 acres targeted for Tuesday. Prior to ignition, fire managers consider many factors including: fuel moisture levels, current and projected weather forecasts, fire personnel resources available, and air quality. All these factors need to be in alignment in order to carry out a successful and safe prescribed burn treatment.
This project is a continuation of a three year fuels reduction program in on the Sandia Ranger District. Smoke will be visible from I-40, Hwy.14 North, Frost Rd and the surrounding communities of Cedar Crest and Tijeras. The project is located west of Cedar Crest.
Fire managers make every effort to minimize smoke impacts to the communities while continuing to address the critical need to reduce the risk of severe wildfires around communities. Tactics are used to keep smoke impacts as minimal as possible including canceling approved burns when conditions aren’t favorable, finding alternative uses for the debris in slash piles, timing daytime ignitions to allow the majority of smoke time to disperse prior to settling overnight. Another strategy is to burn larger sections at a time when conditions are favorable to reduce the overall number of days smoke is in the area. All prescribed burning is coordinated with NM Air Quality Bureau.
Smoke from prescribed fires is considerably less and of a shorter duration than smoke of wildfires which can burn for weeks and even months at a time. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems are urged to stay indoors with windows and doors closed when possible.
We welcome questions and if there are concerns join me at the district to review our burn program on the district.
For additional information contact Sandia Ranger District 505-281-3304
Reinforcing Sandia Ranger District Mountain Closure
by Karen Takai, Sandia Ranger District
REMINDER: THE SANDIA RANGER DISTRICT IS CLOSED TO HIKING, BIKING, DRIVING, HORSEBACK RIDING, PICNICKING
The La Luz Trail is closed!
The Crest Highway from the forest boundary is closed!
Las Huertas Canyon Hwy 165 is closed!
All Sandia District lands from Placitas to Oak Flats and trails within that area are closed north and south of I-40 and including the east and west sides of the mountain.
The City Open Space Trail System (IN Albuquerque) Foothills Trail 365 including some district lands on that trail system are the only trail systems open on the west side of the mountains.
- The Foothill Trail No 365 parallels the western foothills of the Sandia’s. It is open south of the Tram to Copper (13 miles). Any trails off this trail system going East off of Trail 365 ARE CLOSED
- The Tram, High Finance Restaurant and associated observation deck are open.All trails off of the deck are closed.
- The Sandia Ranger District Administrative Offices and associated Interpretive Archaeological Site on South 337 in Tijeras are open.
We would like to thank everyone who has followed the fire closure restrictions that are in place. It is due to your vigilance and cooperation that we able to protect this area. If you think about it, this is a very small sacrifice for all of us, to abide by the rules and try to protect this mountain. We want to see it standing at the end of this fire season and 100 years from now. Thank you again!
For additional information contact the Sandia Ranger District
505-281-3304
Interesting Questions That Come Up During Closure
Q – Why can’t I go into the forest? I am not going to start a fire.
A- We are concerned for anyone entering the forest when conditions are so extreme and volatile. We understand that 99% of our visitors plan to be safe but fact is 50% of our fires start from human cause. If we can lower the exposure from human caused starts then we can cut fire starts by %50. The only other start would be from lightning and we work with our patrols to identify, respond and monitor the area of lightning strikes that happen during the storms.
In addition, if a fire started while you were hiking in the area, with conditions like we have, you could not outrun the flames. We would not be able rescue you. Fires in this extreme condition are explosive and ignite a football field size area in a minute. Fire behavior is extreme.
Q – My house abuts the National Forest. Can I hike out of my property into the forest?
A – No sorry, we have 95 miles of residents that abut the forest. If we allow one person to enter we would have to allow the rest of the homeowners along the 95 miles to enter and then we would have to allow the general public to enter to be fair to everyone. That would defeat the reason for a closure and that is to keep visitors out of a very dangerous area and stop human caused fires.
Q – How long will this closure last?
A – We will be in closure till we get enough rain to heavily blanket all the Sandia and Manzanita Mountains.
Q – What is the fine for breaking the forest closure?
A – Depending on the type of closure CFR Rule broken: hiking, driving , resource damage etc. in a closed area the ticket can go anywhere from $125.00 to $5,000.00.
Bernalillo County to Close East Mountain Open Space Areas Due to High Fire Danger
by Larry Gallegos, Bernalillo County Public Information Department
Bernalillo County- All of Bernalillo County’s East Mountain open space properties will be closed due to the high fire danger in those areas starting Monday, June 10, at 8 a.m.
Carlito Springs, Ojito de San Antonio, Sandia Knolls, Sedillo Ridge and Sabino Canyon Open Space Properties will be closed until further notice.
“The importance of the closure of the county open spaces in the East Mountains is that it reduces the likelihood of a human-caused fire,” says Bernalillo County Fire Marshal Chris Gober. “It also keeps residents from being trapped on the mountain in case a fire does start.”
Because of the countywide drought conditions, the Bernalillo County Fire Department will go before the Board of County Commissioners next Tuesday, June 11, to ask for a resolution to impose restrictions on fireworks outside the city limits in the unincorporated areas of Bernalillo County.
Those restrictions would ban the sale and use of missile-type rockets, helicopters, aerial spinners, stick-type rockets and ground audible devices. The restrictions would limit the use of ground and hand-held sparkling and smoke devices to areas that are paved or barren or that have a readily accessible source of water for use by the homeowner or general public. There would also be a ban on the use of all fireworks in the bosque and other wildland areas of unincorporated Bernalillo County.
Residents are reminded that open burning restrictions have been in place countywide since May 14.
EMIFPA Fire Info – June 10: forest closure
Editor’s note: EMIFPA is the East Mountain Interagency Fire Protection Association. For more information, visit the organization’s web site or follow them on Facebook or Twitter (@EMIFPA_NM).
by John Helmich, EMIFPA Community Education Outreach Coordinator
EM Residents,
Reminder: the Sandia and Mountainair Districts of the Cibola National Forest are closed as of 8 am today, Monday June 10. More information regarding these closures is available here.
The Fire Danger Indices rating was raised from “very high” to “extreme” today. This means: “Fires start quickly, spread furiously, and burn intensely. All fires are potentially serious. Development into high intensity burning will usually be faster and occur from smaller fires than in the very high fire danger class. Every fire start has the potential to become large. Expect extreme, erractic behavior. NO OUTDOOR BURNING SHOULD TAKE PLACE IN AREAS WITH EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR. Fire restrictions are generally in effect.”
Excellent information concerning heat stroke issues and concerns can be sent to you from Ken Oswald, Plateau Telecom. His email contact is keno@plateautel.com. Request the “Safety Alert – Heat Wave.”
Sandia Ranger District Closure To Start June 10, 2013
by Karen Takai, Sandia Ranger District
The Sandia Ranger District will close the forest on June 10, 2013 due to very high fire danger. The only open areas will be portions of Forest Trail 365 including secondary trails associated with Forest Trail 365, outside of the Sandia Mountain Wilderness and South of the Tram. In addition, the Tram, High Finance Restaurant /Deck, the Sandia Ranger District Administrative site and the Tijeras Pueblo Interpretive Trail will remain open.
“Our weather is still trending to be dry and our fuel moistures are at very low levels. With these moistures so low the threat of a large fire is quite high. We need to make sure human starts do not happen and that means keeping people out of the forest until fire risk has lessened. We also need to make sure there are no visitors in the back country area if something did start. We would not be able to rescue you. So, please stay out! ” Matt Rau, Fire Management Officer, Sandia RD.
Fines are being strictly enforced. A single person entering closed areas or using open fire in any manner will be cited up to $5,000 and up to 6 months in jail and for a group fines up to $10,000 and or up to 6 months in jail.
Stage III Fire Closure Restrictions include: Entering Closure Areas by vehicle, hiking, running, horseback riding, motorcycles, roller blades, or flying in.
__________________________________________________________
In the Foot hill trail system (which will still be open) as defined in the first paragraph the following restrictions stand.
- Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, wood or stove fire
- Using an explosive
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building
- Possession, discharging or using any type of firework or pyrotechnic device
- Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine is prohibited.
- Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame
The current Fire Restriction orders can be found on the Cibola’s web site: http://www.fs.usda.gov/cibola in the “Alerts and Notices” section.
Final Update on Lightning Starts in the Manzano Mountains
by Arlene T. Perea, Mountainair Ranger District
Mountainair, NM – June 4, 2013, 12:00pm: Three (3) of the four fires that were found in the Manzano Mountains after Sundays Lightning Storm have now been extinguished. Eight (8) Smokejumpers remain and are mopping up hotspots on the Pack Trail Fire in the Manzano Wilderness, but expect to have it contained and controlled this evening or tomorrow morning.
No additional fires have been detected at this time but fire personnel are fully aware of the possibility of “sleepers” that may lay low for several days before becoming visible as humidity and moisture levels continue to drop.
Extra severity crews and Engines remain on the Mountainair Ranger District and will continue patrolling both the Manzano and Gallinas Mountains in the next few days. There will be a total of 6 engines today and 5 engines tomorrow on the district. In addition to the extra engines, the 20 person Ruby Mountain Hot Shot Crew is on the district for additional hand crew support.
“We are so appreciative of all the support that the fire fighters (ours and visitors) and the Ranger District are receiving throughout the community” said Karen Lessard, Mountainair District Ranger.
This will be the final update on the lightning fires sparked up after Sunday’s storm unless other fires are detected in the next few days. Thanks for your patience during a very tense couple of days.
All public is asked to use extreme caution when visiting the National Forest. Please be aware, the Mountainair Ranger District will be going into Stage 3, Partial Forest Closure on Monday, June 10. For more information call Arlene Perea or the Mountainair Ranger District at 505-847-2990.
Fire Information Meeting, Tuesday May 28, 2013, 6:30 PM Sandia Ranger District
by Karen Takai, Sandia Ranger District – Monday, May 27
Good Morning, We have been actively patrolling our district for the last few weeks with our Sandia RD fire crews and have extra patrol units from Montana. We also have extra employees out and around enforcing our restrictions. When you see them out there please welcome them. They are working long days to keep us safe.
Our fire weather for the next few days will be challenging and we are asking for extra diligence from our community and visitors during this time.
- We are in Stage II fire restrictions which means only stoves with shut off valves are allowed. NO FIRES OR Charcoal BBQ!
- You will be cited for an open fire and if it escapes you will be handed a bill.
- If you can- Cold picnic….the forest is still beautiful and fun without stoves .
- If you see any open fire on the Sandia District please report it immediately to 911 and district 281-3304
- If you are hiking and biking in back country areas be very aware of your locations at all times. Know your fastest escape routes just incase you smell fire or see smoke. Get out of the area!
- Our forest has thousands of dead standing trees due to bug kill over the last 5 years. Be cautious when in your hiking and picnicking make sure there are no dead trees around you especially when winds are blowing. Make sure you are not resting under a dead tree.
- Continuing lowering your risk around your home. Remove woodpiles, rake and remove dead and down vegetation from around your nome, make sure your hoses are connected, fill a few extra containers with water,check your go bag and go over your plan with the family
- Remember fireworks are never allowed
- Be the eyes for our area ahd help be the solution
For many of you thank you so much for your constant support and help during our more challenging times.
For the students that have taken our classes follow your plan. Please help your neighbors who did not take the class and help lessen stress during this fire season.
Do you have a plan? It is time! No procrastinating…….
Fire Information Meeting Tuesday May 28, 2013 6:30pm Sandia Ranger District Station. The meeting is for new resident and a refresher for all. See you there. KT
Karen Takai
Fire Information & Public Affairs
Sandia Ranger District
11776 Hwy 337
Tijeras NM 87059
Ktakai@fs.fed.us
505-281-3304 ex 120
Sandia Ranger District Implementing Prescribed Burns
by Karen Takai, Sandia Ranger District
TIJERAS, NM, November 16, 2012– Sandia Ranger District will tentatively be implementing two prescribed burns, weather permitting, after December 1st 2012, the Casa Loma and Talking Talons Burns. These burns are a continuation of a fuels reduction program on the Sandia Ranger District. The Casa Loma burn is approximately 14 acres and the Talking Talons burn is approximately 80 acres.
Frequent low intensity fires are natural and necessary components of a healthy forest. This ecosystem depends on fire to promote new vegetation, enhance habitat and reduce the threat of large fire. It improves public and firefighter safety by reducing the accumulated fuels that could otherwise contribute to more intense fire behavior under hotter/drier conditions. The broadcast prescribed burning process applies low intensity fire across the forest floor to consume small debris and ground litter.
All prescribed fire activity is dependent on personnel availability, weather (including winds, ventilation) and approval from the New Mexico Smoke Management. They are based upon specific assessments, agency guidelines and safety protocols. During this burn, managers will continuously monitor weather conditions, including wind, temperature, and relative humidity. Fuel conditions including fuel moisture and the quantity of fuels are also measured. Smoke will be visible and expected to have variable affects to neighboring communities.
Fire managers make every effort to minimize smoke impacts to the communities while continuing to address the critical need to reduce the risk of severe wildfires around those communities. Tactics to keep smoke impacts as minimal as possible include canceling approved burns when conditions aren’t favorable, finding alternative uses for the debris in slash piles, timing daytime ignitions to allow the majority of smoke time to disperse prior to settling overnight, and burning larger sections at a time when conditions are favorable to reduce the overall number of days smoke is in the area.
In addition, the Sandia Ranger District coordinates prescribed fire plans with our partners in the county, city and state, as well as neighboring districts, to reduce the impact of smoke on the communities.
The public can obtain additional prescribed fire information via the following:
- Cibola National Forest: www.fs.usda.gov/cibola
- Smoke Management go to http://nmfireinfo.com/smoke-management/ or
- http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/aqb/SMP/smp_index.html
- Sign-up for regular email notifications and updates of planned burns and wildfires: ktakai@fs.fed.us
- Sandia Ranger District 505-281-3304
Fire Agencies Warn New Mexicans About Fall Fire Danger
by Arlene Perea, Mountainair Ranger District
As the fall and winter holidays approach and more New Mexicans plan vacations or hunting trips close to home, Federal and State Fire Agencies are urging caution about fire danger across many parts of the state.
Lack of moisture and warm mild conditions this fall have caused fine, grassy fuels and brush to dry, making them susceptible to wildfire.
Here are some suggestions to help prevent wildfires:
For Campers, Hunters and Drivers:
- If you do not need a fire do not build one.
- Use established camp fire rings when available.
- Make sure campfires are away from overhanging branches, steep slopes and leaves.
- Keep water and a shovel near the campfire.
- Douse campfire with water and stir one hour before leaving.
- Make sure the fire is cool to the touch before leaving the area-even if you are leaving for a short hike.
- Children should always be supervised by adults whenever there is a campfire.
- Only smoke in approved areas and dispose of smoking materials properly.
- While driving, avoid pulling over into areas with tall grass. Hot catalytic converters or exhaust particles can ignite grasses along the roadway.
- If pulling a trailer, make sure chains are not dragging along the pavement as the sparks can fly and start a fire.
For Landowners:
- Thin trees and brush near structures.
- Remove weeds and mow dry grasses.
- Clear twig and leaf litter from roofs and gutters.
- Stack firewood well away from structures.
- Surround structures with drought and fire-resistant or irrigated landscape.
- Have a plan for evacuation
On behalf of your fire response agencies please be fire safe.
Reduce fire risk on your landscape and remember campfires dead out!
PSA: Help Prevent Wildfires on the Cibola National Forest and Grasslands
Albuquerque, NM. May 23, 2012. Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer recreation season. Each year, thousands of people enjoy activities such as hiking, camping, picnicking, OHV driving, when they visit the Cibola National Forest and Grasslands. “We want everyone who comes to the Cibola to enjoy themselves, but we have extremely dry conditions and we need their help to prevent wildfires,” said Susan Millsap, Acting Forest Supervisor.
Currently, none of the Cibola’s six districts have fire restrictions, but hot, windy weather and dry storms are predicted over the next week, which will increase the risk for significant fire activity. “If these conditions persist, then some of our districts may go into fire restrictions in the near future,” said Millsap.
The Southwestern Region is currently at Preparedness Level 3, which means that there are large fires in the region and fire behavior is escalating and of concern to multiple agencies and fire managers.
Most wildfires are human-caused and are started from untended campfires, smoldering cigarettes and sparks from engines. To help prevent wildfires, please:
- Check Fire Restrictions. Before you go, call the Ranger District or the Cibola National Forest and Grasslands Supervisor’s Office to find out if there are any restrictions in place. Current fire restrictions can be found on the Cibola’s website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/cibola/
- Never use Fireworks. All fireworks, including sparklers, are not allowed on National Forests. A small spark at the wrong time could cause a devastating wildfire.
- Make sure campfires are dead out. Extinguish your fire or barbecue one hour before you leave the area. Use lots of water and douse it until you see water floating on the wood/coals and the fire ash is cold to touch. Partially extinguished fires can be fanned by evening winds and re-kindle fires that may take off the next day. Be careful!
Web sites and phone numbers:
- Southwest Coordination Center: http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/
- National Interagency Fire Center: www.nifc.gov
- National Incident Information Center: www.fs.fed.us/news/fire
- FireWise: www.firewise.org
- Regional Fire Restrictions Hotline: 1.877.864.6985
Ruth Sutton, Public Affairs Officer
Cibola National Forest & Grasslands
2113 Osuna NE; Albuquerque, NM 87113
Phone: 505.346.3894
Cell: 505.331.3075
PSA: Red Flag Warnings
by John Weckerle
The East Mountain Interagency Fire Protection Association has issued an advisory on how to assist fire protection agencies in preventing wildfire during red flag warnings.
How do we know when a red flag warning is in effect? Well, there are a number of ways, but we’ve set up a customized weather page at www.weather.gov. To get started, input your city and state in the “Local Forecast by City, State” box near the top left. When the new page opens, you can use the map to zero in on your location. We used the satellite view to pinpoint New Mexico Central headquarters. Then just bookmark the page and you’re set. You can access location-specific weather advisories, forecasts, hourly weather graphs, and much more.
PSA: Public Meeting On Changes To Bernalillo County Fire Code
by John Weckerle
The Bernalillo County Fire Marshal will hold a public meeting next Thursday, April 19, to discuss proposed changes and amendments to the Bernalillo County Fire Code. The meeting will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Bernalillo County Fire Department Administrative Offices at 6840 Second Street NW in Albuquerque.
PSA: Public Meeting on Proposed Bernalillo County Fire Code Changes
From: Tia Bland, Public Information Director
Please be advised that the Bernalillo County fire marshal will be hosting a public meeting on Thursday, April 12, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:0 p.m. to discuss changes and amendments being proposed to the Bernalillo County Fire Code.
The meeting will be held at the Los Vecinos Community Center, 478 1/2 Old Hwy 66, Tijeras, NM 87059.
Wildland Fire Outlook
by John Weckerle
Arlene Perea of the Mountainair Ranger District has sent us the National Wildland Significant Fire Potential Outlook from the National Interagency Fire Predictive Services. For April, normal significant fire potential is expected across the Southwest, although the report acknowledges that “confidence” is not high, especially in the second half of the month. The report states: “Above normal significant fire potential is expected to gradually expand northwestward to encompass the western half of the Area. The most likely condition during this period is continued moisture intrusions across the eastern third of the region with periodic surges westward across New Mexico and into Arizona, increasing the possibly of lightning ignitions. There is a reasonable amount of confidence that the weather pattern will not be as conducive to large-scale, wind-driven fire events as the fine fuels available in the eastern half to two thirds of the Area are not as widespread or as continuous as a year ago.” The report further indicates that much of the uncertainty revolves around the “small possibility of a weak El Niño developing by early summer,” which would certainly be welcome to those of us itching to garden. We’ll note that the report was issued before yesterday’s drenching, so we’ll be interested to see how things play out.
For more information, see the report.
USFA Releases “Your Role in Fire-Adapted Communities”
New guide addresses actions to improve individual and community wildland fire safety
Received from Arlene Perea, USDA Forest Service Mountainair District
Emmitsburg, MD. – The U. S. Fire Administration (USFA), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and the International Association of Fire Chiefs, announces the release of Your Role in Fire-Adapted Communities (PDF, 772 Kb). This new guide promotes a holistic approach to wildland fire risk reduction in the wildland urban interface and addresses actions to improve individual and community safety.
For communities to become more resistant to wildland fire threats, a strong collaboration must exist between federal, state, and local agencies and the public. Aligning with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) “whole community” principles, this guide encourages a community environment where individuals have access to critical information and the knowledge necessary to reduce the loss of life and property. Visit the FEMA website for information on the “whole community” approach to emergency management.
“It is important that fire departments partner with other local emergency response departments, state fire and forestry agencies, and any regional federal organizations before a fire begins,” said U.S. Fire Administrator Ernest Mitchell.
The concept behind fire-adapted communities is that with proper community-wide preparation, populations and infrastructure can withstand the devastating effects of wildland fire, thereby reducing the loss of life and property. In addition to understanding wildland fire defensible space and preparedness, the guide further explains how a community can coexist with the threat of wildland fire and ultimately reduce the need for costly fire suppression responses. As the science of fire-adapted communities continues to evolve, agencies and the public can take steps now to understand better the role they play and actions they can take to coexist safely with wildland fire threats.
Your Role in Fire-Adapted Communities can be downloaded under the Publications section of the USFA website at: www.usfa.fema.gov