Archive for Fire Info
Public Service Announcement/Press Release: Prescribed Burning To Continue on the Mountainair Ranger District
Mountainair, NM – November 30, 2010: With the shot of precipitation received on the Manzano’s this week, the Mountainair Ranger District will be planning to continue the East Thunderbird Prescribed Burn.
The burn will be in a forest area locally known as the Thunderbird area. This area was thinned within the Thunderbird Ecosystem Management area. The remaining portion to be burned is located on the south side of Forest Road #275. District Fire personnel are watching weather patterns closely and hope to re-enter this area the week of December 6-11 to finish burning approximately 70 acres. The burn will be conducted only if and when weather patterns and available fire personnel are conducive to burning and all fire management objectives can be met.
If you have questions regarding the planned prescribed burn or any other Mountainair Ranger District questions, please call 505-847-2990 or email Adrian Padilla at adrianpadilla@fs.fed.us or Arlene Perea at atperea@fs.fed.us.
Public Service Announcement/Press Release: Sandia Ranger District Implementing Pile Burn Near Cedro Lookout
Due to the location and elevation the burn will be visible from all directions leading into the East Mountain area
TIJERAS, NM, November 30, 2010 – Weather permitting Sandia Ranger District will be implementing a pile burn around Cedro Lookout. If weather and resources line up we will be starting the project December 7th and continue thru December 9th. The Cedro Lookout is located two miles south of I-40 and the Village of Tijeras. Due to the elevation the burn will be very visible from all directions. This project is being implemented to protect the lookout tower and facilities that are located on the administrative site.
The Cedro pile burn is a continuation of a fuels reduction program here on the Sandia Ranger District. There are approximately 10 acres and 400 piles to be treated. We expect the project to take two to three days.
The parameters for implementing a pile burn are based upon specific assessments, agency guidelines and safety protocols. During this burn, managers 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.
We are working in cooperation with Bernalillo County Fire Departments and New Mexico State Forestry as contingency resources. For questions or concerns please contact the Sandia Ranger District 281-3304.
Press Release: Bernalillo County Gets New Type III Wildland Fire Truck
by Larry Gallegos, Bernalillo County Public Information Department
Bernailillo County Type III Wildland Fire Truck
Through the efforts championed by Bernalillo County Commission Chair Art De La Cruz the Bernalillo County Fire Department will now be able to answer calls from residents of Pajarito Mesa in a new vehicle built to withstand rough terrain. The Type III Wildland Fire Truck is a 4 wheel drive vehicle that will travel where the full size pumper and ladder trucks cannot go easily and it is equipped with a 500-gallon water tank to help with fires in areas with limited water supply. Based at the BCFD Station 4 on Coors and Don Felipe SW, it will be the main first response vehicle for fire and rescue calls at the Pajarito Mesa and for wildland fires in the East Mountains and around the county, when the need arises.
“I am proud to be responsible for moving for the purchase of this state-of-the-art truck that will support the fire department’s response time to emergencies for the people in Pajarito Mesa. It is equipped to travel in rough terrains and save the taxpayers money as the County will no longer need to expend the dollars on maintenance and repair of the larger fire trucks used driving that same terrain” says Commissioner De La Cruz.”
Mountainair Ranger District Press Release: Fall Prescribed Burning To Begin on the Mountainair Ranger District
Mountainair, NM – October 25, 2010: As fall colors come to an end and temperatures drop, it’s time for the Mountainair Ranger District to continue its prescribed burning program. According to District Fire Management Officer, Mark Bernal, the district currently has two burns planned.
Currently there are 2 burns planned on the district. The first burn is the East Thunderbird Prescribed Burn. The East Thunderbird burn began last winter, but due to early winter precipitation was not completed. The fall conditions have given us the opportunity to reenter the 190 acre area and attempt to complete the burn.
The burn will be in a forest area locally known as the Thunderbird area. This area was thinned within the Thunderbird Ecosystem Management area, along both sides of Forest Road #275. There are no set dates for the burn but district fire personnel will be watching weather patterns closely during the next few weeks to determine when it is safe and advantageous to conduct this burn. The burn will be conducted only if and when weather patterns and available fire personnel are conducive to burning.
The second burn planned is the Barranco Prescribed Burn. This burn is also within the Thunderbird Ecosystem Management area and is located South of Forest Road #275. This burn will also be conducted as weather conditions and personnel allow.
If you have questions regarding the planned prescribed burn or any other Mountainair Ranger District questions, please call 505-847-2990 or email Adrian Padilla at adrianpadilla@fs.fed.us or Arlene Perea at atperea@fs.fed.us.
Corona Fire 92% Contained
by John Weckerle
The Corona Fire, which has been burning about 2 miles north of Corona on Cougar Mesa, was 92% contained this morning, according to Arlene Perea of the Mountainair Ranger District.
The fire burned a total of 113 acres. Fuels within the interior of the fire are expected to continue to burn out for some time, unless soaking rains douse the remaining embers. Four Type II crews (20 firefighters each) were supported by four engines and one helicopter, with as many as 126 total personnel fighting the fire on Thursday. According to Ms. Perea, the Albuquerque Zone Type III Team, managed by Ryan Romero, transferred fire operations to the Mountainair Ranger District this morning. A five-person crew, with one engine and a chase truck, will continue to monitor the area through the weekend and possibly into Monday.
Cibola National Forest Enacts Stage 1 Fire Restrictions
USDA Forest Service Press Release
Albuquerque, June 17, 2010 – The Cibola National Forest, including the Mt. Taylor, Sandia and Mountainair Ranger Districts will implement Stage 1 fire restrictions starting Friday, June 18 at 8:00am. Cibola National Forest Supervisor Nancy Rose explained, “With the recent increase in temperatures, higher winds, continued dry conditions that are drying vegetation, the potential for Wildland fires has increased and we feel it is necessary to take these precautions.”
As always, fireworks are prohibited on all national forest system lands.
Beginning 8:00 am, Friday, June 18, 2010, the following restrictions apply to the Mt. Taylor, Sandia and Mountainair Ranger Districts.
Open Campfire Restrictions:
- Campfires, charcoal grills and stove fires are prohibited on national forest lands except in Forest Service developed camp and picnic grounds where grills are provided.
Restrictions:
- Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns and heaters meeting safety specifications are allowed. Please contact the Cibola National Forest for more details regarding where fires are allowed.
- Smoking is allowed within an enclosed vehicle or building; a developed recreation site; or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter and free of all flammable material.
Please call for more information, Mark Chavez, Cibola National Forest Supervisor’s Office at 505-346-3900, or one of the following district offices:
- Mt. Taylor Ranger District, 505- 287-8833
- Sandia Ranger District, 505-281-3304
- Mountainair Ranger District, 505-847-2990
Additional fire information for the Southwest Area is available at http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/index.htm.
NMED, NMDOH Issue Smoke Advisory
NMED/NMDOH Press Release
(Santa Fe, NM) — The New Mexico Environment Department and the New Mexico Department of Health today issued a smoke advisory for the areas of New Mexico affected by smoke from the numerous wildfires currently burning across the state.
The Department of Health recommends that sensitive groups, such as the elderly, small children, or any individual with respiratory or heart problems, leave the area where the smoke levels are within the unhealthy range (see table below) until the smoke dissipates or stay inside as much as possible. Citizens are also urged not to use swamp coolers as they will pull the smoke inside.
Air quality conditions associated with smoke are especially important for people with underlying health conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and cardiovascular disease. If symptoms associated with these preexisting conditions do not respond to your usual recommended medications, see a health care provider immediately. NMED and DOH do feel that sensitive groups should practice caution until the smoke dissipates. Real-time air monitoring data is available for some areas of the state at NMED’s website at http://air.nmenv.state.nm.us/.
In areas without real-time particulate monitors, visibility can serve as a good surrogate in determining air quality. The following chart includes guidelines for extrapolating air quality from observed visibility.
| Categories | Visibility in Miles |
| Good | 10 miles and up |
| Moderate | 6 to 9 |
| Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | 3 to 5 |
| Unhealthy | 1½ to 2½ |
| Very Unhealthy | 1 to 1¼ |
| Hazardous | ¾ mile or less |
Procedure for Making Personal Observation to Determine Smoke Concentrations
- Face away from the sun
- Determine the limit of your visibility range by looking for targets at known distances (miles). Visible range is that point at which even the high contrast objects totally disappear
- After determining visibility in miles, use the chart to determine health effect and appropriate cautionary statement.
For further information on the impacts of smoke to health, go to NMED’s Web page:
http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/aqb/Wildfire-PM.html, or contact Marissa Bardino, NMED Communications Director, at (505) 827-0314 or Deborah Busemeyer, DOH Communications Director at (505) 827-2619.
Consider Carefully…Are You Ready For The East Mountain Fire Season?
by Karen Takei, Fire Information and Public Affairs, Sandia Ranger District
For the group that have taken our East Mountain Interagency Fire Protection Association classes “fire indices” (measurement of fire potential) are starting to bump up due to drying winds and the Southwest is starting to see some fire activity. Hopefully you have worked on getting rid of winter slash that is around your property.
- Cut and remove grasses around your homes.
- Remove pine needles from gutters.
- Campfires Dead Out.
- Cigarettes Extinguished.
- Fireplace ash drenched with water and let stand for weeks.
- Remove wood from around your home.
- Careful welding.. consider having a fire extinguisher with you.
- Do not park on tall weeds.
- Limb your trees getting rid of ladder fuels.
Call for information to reduce fire hazards or go to firewise.org.
If we are in red flag warning we recommend the following: No open flame (welding, campfires, smoking etc. ) outside till the red flag order is rescinded.
Consider carefully…….. are you ready for East Mountain Fire Season? If not get ready…
Public Service Announcement: Hazard Tree Removal Continues
We have received the following press release from Karen Takai at the Sandia Ranger District:
Hazard Trees Continue To Be Removed in the Sandia Ranger District Recreation Sites
TIJERAS, NM – October 8, 2009: Starting October14th , 7am to 5pm, contractors will be cutting down large dead standing hazard trees in developed recreation sites off of the Crest Highway. The project will start from the higher elevation sites and move down the mountain into other sites where hazard trees have been identified. We expect the project to take two months weather permitting (Monday through Friday) .
For the safety of our visitors to the mountains during this time we recommend that you call one day before to find out what areas will be temporarily closed while work is being done.
The initial work is concentrated in picnic areas and trailheads. We are asking our visitors to be extremely careful when in the forest. Be aware of dead standing trees (snags) around you at all times. Exit heavily forested areas that have dead standing trees especially during high winds.
For more information contact Sandia District Ranger at 281-3304
Forest Service Closures: Capilla, New Canyon, and Tajique Campgrounds
Announcement from Arlene Perea at the Mountainair Ranger District:
The Mountainair Ranger District would like to remind all visitors that although many roads have been reopened throughout the district, Forest Road #245 from New Canyon Campground to Capilla Peak continues to be closed. This is due to the high volume of burned hazard trees remaining along the road. Crews have been and continue to work on cutting these trees; however they pose a serious threat to any traffic on the road. This includes foot traffic. Along with the continued closure of Forest Road #245, New Canyon and Capilla Campgrounds are also closed due to the hazard trees as well as the possibility of flash flooding through the New Canyon Campground. Tajique Campground on the North end of the district also continues to be closed due to the possibility of flash flooding. With the forest reopening, we are seeing many hikers within these areas. Hikers are asked to use the adjacent trail (New Canyon Trail) to access this portion of the forest, but no camping is allowed in Capilla or New Canyon campgrounds. District Ranger Karen Lessard said “These areas continue to be post-fire work zones so we ask that visitors stay away from these areas for your own safety as well as the safety of our crews.”
The Mountainair Ranger District has also received a high volume of calls regarding the availability of fire wood cutting areas. We currently have 3 wood cutting areas open, however all permits have been sold for these areas. Our crews are working diligently to open another area soon. To find out the availability of permits, please call the Mountainair Ranger District at 505-847-2990 before visiting to buy a permit.
San Miguel Fire Expanding Slowly
by John Weckerle
The San Miguel Fire expanded to 477 acres today, according to the New Mexico Fire Information blog. The fire, which was visible today from the top of the Sandia Peak Tramway, was sparked by lightning. It is located approximately 13 miles south of Los Alamos, and about 4.5 miles southwest of the Bandelier National Monument Overlook. The Monument remains open during normal operating hours, and access to main visitor areas is unaffected, although there are some back-country closures. The fire is visible from the Monument’s overlook, and staff will be available at the overlook from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to answer questions and provide updated information. For more information on the fire, see the New Mexico Fire Information blog.
Some Fire Restrictions Lifted
by John Weckerle
According to a press release received issued Thursday, fire restrictions on the Mountainair Ranger District and the Kiowa and
Rita Blanca National Grasslands effective Friday, June 26th were to have been lifted last Friday. Moisture and higher humidity have resulted in a decreased fire danger. The press release cautions those building campfires to use caution, including taking the following steps:
- Build campfires away from overhanging branches, steep slopes, rotten
stumps, logs, dry grass, pine needles and leaves. Pile extra wood away
from the fire. - Clear the area down to bare soil.
- Keep your campfire safe and small, especially when it’s windy.
Never leave your campfire unattended. - Drown the fire with water & dirt, stir remains, add more water and
dirt, and stir again. - Do not bury coals as they can smolder and re-ignite later.
- Make sure your fire is dead out before leaving.
As always, fireworks of any kind are prohibited. For more information on fire restrictions in the Cibola National Forest, see their web site at www.fs.fed.us/r3/cibola.
Smoke In The Air
from Karen Takai, Sandia Ranger District, via Arlene Perea, Mountainair Ranger District
Hi all, As you wake up this morning you will notice a slight smell of smoke in the air. This smoke is coming from the Gila National Forest where the National Forest is monitoring fire for resource benefits.
In this case this fire is being used as a tool to bring fire back to the landscape while increasing protection for resources such as the Gila Trout, by reducing the potential for high- intensity fires that may burn if the fuel build-up remains untreated.
For more information follow the like to http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1667/.
We have received some rain but remember with the right conditions fires can start anytime so do not become complacent.
Just a thought this morning………… If this smoke was from something local would you have been ready to evacuate? What about your animals….What if you were in town…the Sheriffs Office would be closing the roads back to the East Mountains….who would get your family and animals out……..Would your property be able to stand against a wildfire….
It is a beautiful Saturday… take a few hours to do just one preparedness project to get you that much safer and defendable in case of a major incident.
Call if you have any questions or need information to get you prepared…KT
Note: Ms. Takai can be reached at (505) 281-3304, extension 120.
Public Service Announcement: Fire Prevention Meeting To Be Held June 4
Checking in on Chuck Ring’s blog, we see that Bernalillo County Commissioner Michael Brasher has announced a fire protection/prevention meeting to update residents on the 2009 fire season. For more information, see Chuck’s article.
Memorial Weekend Fire Safety Reminder
by Arlene Perea, Mountainair District Ranger Station
Mountainair, NM, May 19, 2009 – Cibola National Forest officials remind everyone of the importance of responsible recreating in anticipation of the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. The Mountainair Ranger District as well as the Kiowa & Rita Blanca Grasslands are the only districts currently under stage 1 fire restrictions. Although Black Kettle, Mount Taylor, Magdalena and Sandia are not under any fire restrictions, we would like to remind all forest visitors to use extreme caution to prevent any wildfires within the Cibola National Forest and Grasslands. In anticipation of the upcoming holiday, district fire and recreation personnel will continue to patrol the roads, trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, and other recreational facilities during the holiday weekend.
The following Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands Ranger Districts remain affected by high fire danger:
MOUNTAINAIR RANGER DISTRICT, KIOWA & RITA BLANCA GRASSLANDS:
STAGE 1:
Open Campfire Restrictions:
- Campfires, charcoal grills and stove fires are prohibited on national forest lands, except in Forest Service developed camp and picnic grounds where grills are provided.
- Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns and heaters meeting safety specifications are allowed.
Smoking Restrictions:
- Smoking is allowed within an enclosed vehicle or building; a developed recreation site; or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter and free of all flammable material.
Fireworks:
- As always, fireworks are prohibited on all national forest lands.
Forest Officials would also like to remind the public to please “Be Bear Aware”. Some areas of the forest have been experiencing a high occurrence of black bear sightings. Although beautiful to look at, black bears are wild creatures that can be very dangerous if provoked. Camp and picnic grounds are heavily used over the holiday. Please remember to keep your Forests free of litter.
For further information, please contact the Cibola National Forest at 505-346-3900 or visit us on the web at www.fs.fed.us/r3/cibola. You may also call the districts at:
Sandia – 505-281-3304
Mountainair – 505-847-2990
Magdalena – 575-854-2381
Mount Taylor – 505-287-8833
Kiowa & Rita Blanca – 575-374-9652
Black Kettle – 580-497-2143