FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 1, 2024
Santa Fe National Forest to Conduct Pile Burns Across Multiple Ranger Districts
SANTA FE, NM – The Santa Fe National Forest is planning a series of pile burns across the Pecos, Española, Jemez, and Cuba Ranger Districts beginning as early as December 2, 2024. These burns are designed to reduce hazardous fuels buildup from previous forest management projects and create healthier forest ecosystems.Smoke may be visible in the surrounding areas.
Pecos Ranger District:
* Campground Piles: 65 acres located near the Campground area.Ignitions are planned for 2 to 3 days.
* Thompson Ridge Piles: 146 acres located in Santa Fe, N.M. near McClure Reservoir.Ignitions are planned for 3 to 5 days.
* Tesuque Piles: 485 acres located north of Santa Fe, N.M near Hyde Park Road and Forest Road 102. Ignitions are planned for 7 to 10 days.
Jemez Ranger District:
Potential start date for the following pile burns: December 2 and 3
* San Diego Egress Piles: 17 acres located along Ponderosa road off New Mexico State Road 4, approximately two miles north of the Jemez Ranger Station. Ignitions are planned for 1 to 2 days.
* Thompson Ridge Burn Pit: 0.5 acre located near the community of Thompson Ridge along Forest Road 106JA. Ignitions are planned for 1 day.This burn will focus on slash generated during community defensible space cleanup efforts.
Cuba Ranger District:
Potential start date for the following pile burns: December 2
* American Park Hand Piles: 28 acres located near the junction of Forest Road 103 and New Mexico State Road 126. Ignitions are planned for 2 to 3 days.
* Rock Creek Landing Piles: 208 acres located near the junction of Forest Road 103 and New Mexico State Road 126. Ignitions are planned for 2 to 3 days.
* Tusas West Unit Piles: 224 acres located south of McMillan Canyon, northwest of Tusas tank and between Forest Road 534 and 532.
Forest officials will evaluate weather conditions and snowpack before initiating each burn. Prescribed fire activities may be canceled if conditions are unfavorable.
Public Safety & air Quality:
Areas near the burn piles may be temporarily closed to the public for safety. visitors are advised to watch for warning signs along roads near all prescribed fire areas before and during burns.
Residents may experience smoke during the prescribed burns. For detailed air quality information, visit AirNow online or download the app. Drivers encountering smoke are urged to slow down and turn on their headlights.
Stay Informed:
the public can stay informed about these prescribed fires thru the Santa Fe National Forest website, social media channels, and InciWeb, the interagency incident information system. County emergency management officials will also be notified when burning begins.
About the USDA Forest Service:
The USDA Forest Service has a century-long history of connecting people and communities to conservation. Managing 193 million acres of public land,the agency provides assistance to landowners,conducts world-class research,and stewards approximately 900 million forested acres across the U.S., including over 130 million acres of urban forests.
