Single Publication

Forest Service News Release 

Contact: Claudia Brookshire 

(505) 438-5320 

claudia.brookshire@usda.gov  

fs.usda.gov/santafe  

Pile Burn Season Begins on the Santa Fe National Forest 

Due to weather conditions any broadcast burns tentatively planned are canceled 

Santa Fe, N.M., November 7, 2024— With recent snowfall, Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) fire managers are preparing for winter prescribed fire activities. Pile burns are tentatively planned as early as next week and will occur between November and April in the Cuba, Coyote, Jemez, and Espanola ranger districts. Prescribed fire projects are intended to reduce hazardous fuels, enhance wildlife habitat, and improve forest health.  The decision to proceed with each pile burn will depend on multiple factors, including snowpack, fuel moisture levels, air quality, ventilation, forecast weather and wind, and resource availability.  

Pile burning is meant to treat slash, like branches, piled by thinning crews with the aim to reduce flammable fuels and mitigate the risk of large high intensity wildfires. Local communities may experience short duration smoke impacts. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautions. To learn more about the New Mexico Environment Department Smoke Management Program visit Smoke Management Program (nm.gov). 

Fire managers will look for ideal weather windows to implement the following pile burn projects:  

Cuba District 

• Tusas West – 49 acres located east of Forest Road 535 and West of Forest Road 532 along a ridge that runs north/south. This burn unit is located approximately 1.5 miles southwest of Rancho del Chaparral Girl Scout Ranch.  
• American Parks – 208 acres located on the north and south side of New Mexico State Road 126 and approximately 10 miles from Cuba N.M. This project area extends to the community of Wetherill where piles are located on the southwestern edge of the community.  
• Deer Lake – 77 acres is located adjacent to the Deer Lakes community and utilizes New Mexico State Road 126 as the southern unit boundary. This unit is approximately 5 miles from Cuba N.M. 

Coyote District 

• Lino - 99 acres located adjacent to Forest Road 461KA, a spur road off Forest Road 103, south of New Mexico State Road 96. 
• Gobernador – 95 acres located on the north end of the district adjacent to Forest Road 169.  
• District staff will hold an open house Friday November 15 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Coyote District Office located at 20 Private Drive 1707, Coyote, NM 87012. Fire managers will be available to answer questions about pile burn projects.  

Jemez District 

• Horseshoe Pile – 239 acres located adjacent to State Road 126 and Forest Road 376 near the community of La Cueva.  
• Triangle Pile – 43 acres located adjacent to Forest Road 376 and Forest Road 604 near the community of La Cueva.  
• Hill Pile – 45 acres located adjacent to Forest Road 376 south of the intersection with Forest Road 604.  
• San Diego Egress – 17 acres located adjacent to Ponderosa Road and New Mexico State Road 4, up the canyon from Jemez Springs.  
• Seven Springs – 33 acres located off New Mexico State Road 126 near the community of Seven Springs and State Fish Hatchery.  

Española District 

• North Ridge Unit (Hyde Park Wildland Urban Interface) – 52 acres  

To Learn More 

• As pile burn locations and dates are confirmed, the SFNF will post regular updates to our SFNF Website and social media pages (Facebook and X). 
• To join the forest news release email list, send a request to our public affairs inbox SM.FS.sfnfpao@usda.gov 
• Prescribed fire information will be posted to NM Fire Info and InciWeb.  
• Districts fire staff will contact residents, businesses, landowners, cooperators, local fire departments and smoke sensitive individuals, and proper signage will be placed where appropriate and needed. Contact district offices for specific information.