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Prescribed Fire Update: Ignitions Nearly Finished on One Project and Begin on Another 10-09-2024
Sotano Prescribed Fire, La Jara and Apache Prescribed Fire
Publication Type: News - 10/08/2024 - 21:13
After nearly completing ignitions today on the 2,365-acre Sotano Prescribed Fire to the north of El Rito (Rio Arriba County), fire crews are close to wrapping up a major step on the project. They plan to finish treatment on the remaining 115 acres tomorrow, when smoke production will be minimal compared to the last two days.
On the other side of the forest, near Angel Fire, crews took a methodical approach as they began ignitions on the La Jara and Apache Prescribed Fire, where 100 acres were treated directly adjacent to the Taos Pines community.
“With this part of the unit directly next to homes, we’re going low and slow,” said District Ranger Michael Lujan. “We plan to continue ignitions along the neighborhood boundary on Wednesday.”
Teamwork
Partnerships are key to completing this work. Carson National Forest crews were joined today by personnel from State of N.M., Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the Sotano Prescribed Fire and Taos County, Taos Pueblo, State of N.M. and Latir Volunteer Fire Department on the La Jara and Apache project.
Drones
Personnel also used uncrewed aerial systems, or drones, outfitted with infrared sensors to monitor both prescribed fires by air. Operators use infrared to see heat signatures and focus on the edges of the prescribed fire to identify any spot fires that slopped over control lines.
Smoke and Community Notifications
Prescribed fire treatments will produce smoke that can drift near and far from project sites. Fire managers coordinate with the New Mexico Environment Department to conduct ignitions on days when smoke impacts are minimized.
Unlike large wildfires, prescribed fires are short-term in duration and planned with advance notice. Residents and visitors are encouraged to keep updated with prescribed fire and other Carson National Forest news by joining the forest news release list, among other options like following on social media and using NMFireInfo.com.
More information about prescribed fires, including smoke-readiness tips, are available online.