Prescribed Burn Planned on Santa Fe National Forest Cuba Ranger District

Release Date: Oct 13, 2015

Contact(s): Julie Anne Overton

SANTA FE, NM – October 13, 2015 – For Immediate Release – Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest are planning to conduct a prescribed burn on the Cuba Ranger District on Wednesday, October 14, 2015, if conditions including fuel moisture levels, air quality and weather forecasts are favorable.

The initial treatment area under consideration for tomorrow totals 350 acres and is part of the 2,236-acre Cedar Springs project located north of the community of Llaves and south/southwest of Gallina Peak.

Prescribed fires are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire-adapted ecosystems. These fires mimic natural fires by reducing forest fuels, recycling nutrients and increasing habitat diversity. Each prescribed burn is designed to meet specific objectives. The Cedar Springs prescribed burn is designed remove dead forest fuels, provide community protection and promote forest health.  Prescribed fires are managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority.

Smoke from the prescribed burn will be monitored, and the information will be available to provide health advisories as necessary.  Smoke will likely be visible from La Jara, Cuba, Regina, Lindrith, El Vado, Chama, Abiquiu, Tierra Amarilla, Highway 96 and US Highway 84.

Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems 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 website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

For additional information about this prescribed burn, please contact the Cuba Ranger District at 575-289-3264.

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