Contact: Javonne Goodman 505-377-8714 javonne.goodman@usda.gov
Taos, New Mexico – September 10, 2020 – Fire managers on the Carson National Forest are planning to take advantage of favorable conditions, including fuel moisture levels, air quality, winds, and weather forecasts to implement the Canjilon WUI – Mesita, Ensenada, and Ring unit of Valle Vidal prescribed burns between Sept. 23 and Oct. 31, 2020.
The Ensenada is a 1,243-acre broadcast burn, located in the Quartzsite Peak area on FS road 42E, five-miles north of Canon Plaza, New Mexico. Objectives are to improve wildlife habitat by promoting Aspen regeneration, as well as quality and quantity of grasses and forbs, and to decrease tree encroachment within meadow areas. Ignitions may take two-to-five days to complete. A combination of hand and aerial ignitions will be utilized.
The Canjilon WUI – Mesita is a 902-acre broadcast burn, located on FS road 559F, one-mile west of Canjilon, New Mexico. Objectives are to increase grass, forbs, and shrub diversity for wildlife and livestock, as well as reduce surface fuels created by thinning and fuelwood sales to reduce the threat of sustained crown fire in the proximity of the Canjilon and Placita Garcia area. Ignitions may take two-to-five days to complete. The Mesita prescribed fire will be done by hand ignitions only.
The Valle Vidal – Ring unit is a 4,968-acre broadcast burn, located one-mile west of McCrystal Campground on Forest Road 1950, 16-miles North of Ute Park, and 15-miles East of Questa. Objectives include returning fire to the landscape in order to improve wildlife and livestock forage production, reduce meadow encroachment. Ignitions may take up to seven days to complete. A combination of hand and aerial ignitions will be utilized.
A high priority of these prescribed burns will be to minimize smoke impacts to the surrounding communities by utilizing any available Emissions Reduction Techniques (ERTs). Fire managers will consult with the National Weather Service, New Mexico Environment Dept of Air Quality, and the Local Health Departments to assess potential smoke impacts to the adjacent communities in order to minimize degradation of air quality that could exacerbate COVID-19 symptoms.
Smoke may be visible from the surrounding areas during and after ignitions begin.
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. Prescribed fires are managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority.
Smoke from these prescribed burns will be closely monitored to ensure New Mexico Environment Department 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 the prescribed burns, contact the El Rito Ranger District at 575-581-4554, Canjilon Ranger District at 575-684-2489, and Questa Ranger District at 575-586-0520.
MaryAnna Clemons
Public Affairs Officer
Forest Service
Carson National Forest
c: 575-999-5548
Monday – Friday 7:30-4:00
maryanna.clemons@usda.gov
208 Cruz Alta Road
Taos, NM 87571
www.fs.fed.us
Caring for the land and serving people
