Espanola Ranger District Borrego Prescribed Burn to Resume Wednesday
Release Date: Feb 12, 2018
SANTA FE, NM – February 12, 2018 – For Immediate Release. Due to favorable conditions, to include fuel moisture levels, air quality and weather forecasts, fire managers on the Espanola Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) expect to resume ignitions Wednesday, February 14 on the Borrego Mesa fuelwood unit to reduce the risk of high-severity wildfire.
Crews were able to complete 110 acres since the January 30 ignitions. Crews hope to complete what is left of the 250-acre area by February 18, as weather permits.
The area is located approximately five miles East of Cordova, and five miles South of Truchas. Smoke may be visible from Santa Fe, Espanola, Tesuque, Truchas, Cordova, Penasco and El Rito. Smoke is expected to settle into lower elevations and in drainage areas during the evenings, but should lift by mid-morning.
Prescribed burns are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire-adapted ecosystems. The burns mimic natural fires by reducing forest fuels, recycling nutrients and increasing habitat diversity. The Borrego prescribed burn will specifically remove dead forest fuels, provide community protection and promote forest health. Prescribed burns are managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority.
Smoke from the prescribed burn will be monitored to ensure that the New Mexico Environment Department’s Air Quality Bureau regulations are met. 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’s website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.
For additional information about this prescribed burn, please contact the Espanola Ranger District at 505.753.7331.
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