Santa Fe National Forest plans winter pile burns in Jemez and Española districts
No closures are planned; ignitions depend on weather, snowpack and air quality.
LOS ALAMOS - The Santa Fe National Forest plans prescribed pile burns that may run through the winter as conditions allow, according to a Nov. 12 Forest Service release. Crews will burn branches and other slash that thinning crews piled to cut down flammable fuels.
On the Jemez Ranger District, the release lists four units in Sandoval County: Hill Unit 2 (38 acres), Horseshoe (166 acres), San Antonio Landing Piles (317 acres) and Barley Canyon (95 acres). On the Española Ranger District, it lists three Santa Fe County units: Hyde Park North Ridge (42 acres), Thompson Ridge Piles (146 acres) and Tesuque Piles (375 acres).
Each burn depends on snowpack, air quality, ventilation, forecast weather and wind, and available crews, and burns may be postponed or canceled. No closures are planned.
Smoke may be visible. The Forest Service asks people not to report the fires, since firefighters stay on scene. Drivers in smoke should slow down, turn on headlights and close windows at night. Air quality is posted at fire.airnow.gov, and schedule updates at nmfireinfo.com.