Size: 842 acres
Containment: 100%
Date Started: February 15, 2022
Cause: Unknown, human caused

State resources from Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) arrived to assist local responders. TAMFS dozers from Burkburnett office constructed containment lines around the perimeter of the fire. Local crews conducted burn out operations to help create control lines. Three Single Engine Air Tankers (SEAT) conducted retardant drop operations to slow the fire progress and to cool off fire for ground crews to conduct direct fire attack, and Air Attack (AA) aircraft provided situational awareness of the fire activity. Crews patrolled, mopped up, and secured control lines. Initially three structures were reported threatened, the threat was mitigated, removing the threat from structures. All TAMFS resources have cleared and enroute to home office.

Boyd, Texas - Crews worked over the night monitoring the fire to put out any heats that they found. Throughout the day today the crews will be monitoring the fire and driving the lines looking for heat sources. Last night dozers finished lining the fire and the local IC bumped containment to 90 percent. In addition with better mapping the total acreage burned has come out to 265 acres. At this time we can confirm that an abandoned structure was lost yesterday but 19 other structures were saved. With the expected high winds today local resources will be monitoring the fire throughout the day, and state resources will be standing by to assist as needed. There is a TFR still in place today and the area is closed to air traffic, including personal drones. 
 

Boyd, Texas – Today Crews worked to contain and build dozer lines around the Valentine’s Day Fire. Two Large Air Tankers were utilized to drop retardant and slow fire growth, allowing ground resources to take more direct action against the fire and stop progression. Dozers are working their way around the head of the fire and will be moving down the left flank to completely line the fire. Crews are going to work through the night to build containment lines all the way around the fire and burn off some pockets of unburned fuel inside the fire perimeter. Tomorrow morning resources will be back on scene to patrol dozer lines and mop up any heat along the fires edge. With the high winds expected tomorrow embers can be blown for some distance before landing again. This fire was caused by a roadside start that burned quickly to the north with gusty winds behind the head of the fire. Initially 20 structures were threatened and at this time they are no longer threatened by the fire activity. Residents in the area should expect to see smoke tonight and tomorrow, and be aware of fire resources traveling around their homes.

 February 8th, 1pm - Today crews are working to build dozer lines around the Palo Pinto complex to improve containment and allow better access to all flanks of the fire. Both fires are being lined and managed as one incident and are showing good improvements as the day goes on. Winds will shift directions today causing a potential issue but the weather is being monitored as resources work. Yesterday 5 structures were threatened but were saved by local fire departments on scene. Crews continue to monitor other fires in the area and will be available to respond as needed.

 

Sandia Ranger District Plans Pile Burns

Starting as early February 14th

  Albuquerque, NM – February 8, 2022 – Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands fire crews are preparing to proceed with pile burning on the Sandia Ranger District in the vicinity of Sulphur and Hondo Canyon pending suitable conditions. The Sulphur Canyon Project area is located within and adjacent to the Sulphur and Cienega Picnic Areas accessed by the Sandia Crest Highway/NM Hwy 536. The Hondo Canyon Project Area is located south of Cienega Canyon and adjacent to the Sandia Mountain Wilderness area to the west and residential areas to the east. Sulphur Canyon (136 acres) and Hondo Canyon (170) project areas cover approximately 306 acres of dispersed piles. Visitors should avoid the area during prescribed burn operations for their safety, and the safety of the firefighters. See attached project maps. Winter is an optimal time to burn piled slash and woody debris from earlier forest restoration work because snow on the ground keeps the fire from spreading to adjacent vegetation. Generally, pile burns produce less smoke and burn with less intensity than broadcast burns across a larger landscape. Fire personnel will monitor the burn pit until it is completely out. Smoke may be visible in the surrounding areas of Tijeras, Edgewood, Moriarty and Albuquerque between February 14th – March 31st. In some areas, smoke may settle into lower elevations overnight due to fluctuating atmospheric temperatures that produce nighttime inversions. Each prescribed fire is designed to accomplish specific objectives and is managed with firefighter and public safety as the highest priority. The Cibola NF & NGs manages prescribed fires in compliance with New Mexico state regulations on air quality and smoke management. 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 (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website. All fire updates will be posted on the Cibola NF & NGs website, New Mexico Fire Information website and on the Cibola Facebook  & Twitter pages.      Sandia Ranger District Office: 505-281-3304 Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands Supervisor’s Office: 505-346-3900  

What is prescribed fire?

Prescribed fire is the planned application of low-intensity fire to the landscape by fire and fuel specialists. These burns are planned in accordance with applicable laws, policies and regulations to meet specific land management objectives.

 

Why does Texas A&M Forest Service conduct prescribed fires?

Prescribed fire is one of the most efficient land management tools that we use as a part of active forest and land management. Fire has always been part of the environment and plays a vital role in maintaining certain ecosystems. Prescribed fire is one of the most effective tools we have in preventing wildfires and managing the intensity and spread of wildfires. The benefits of prescribed fire include:

• Protect communities from destructive wildfires by reducing hazardous fuel build up,
• Give firefighters a safer place to work while fighting a wildfire,
• Promote new growth and soil health,
• Minimize the spread of pests, insects and disease,
• Improve wildfire habitat, and
• An efficient, cost-effective way to reduce hazardous fuels.  

 

What is a burn plan?

Texas A&M Forest Service prescribed fire practitioners write a burn plan for every project. The plan identifies the best conditions for conducting the fire to get the best results keeping in mind public and firefighter safety.

The plans written by Texas A&M Forest Servicce are thorough and include specific prescription parameters, a list of notifications to be made, smoke management considerations, vegetation and surface fuel information, natural resources or other considerations (e.g., endangered species habitat) in the project area, maps, objectives, weather considerations, personnel and equipment needed, safety hazards and any post-burn activities.

A burn plan outlines weather parameters for when fire can safely be put on the ground to meet the outlined objectives. This includes temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction and fuel moistures. Weather conditions are not only considered for the time of ignition but also the period prior to and after a prescribed fire.

Other agencies and entities that conduct prescribed burns may follow different guidelines and procedures when writing their burn plans.

 

Who does the burning on Texas A&M Forest Service prescribed fires?

All prescribed fires led by Texas A&M Forest Service are conducted by trained and qualified professionals who are experienced in the areas of fire behavior and fire management techniques. Texas A&M Forest Service prescribed fire burn managers are certified by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and every prescribed fire has a qualified burn boss in charge of that project.

 

Other agencies and burn practitioners may have different certifications or licenses according to their governing entity’s protocols and guidelines.

 

What is a burn boss?

The prescribed fire burn boss ensures that all prescribed fire plan specifications are met before, during and after a prescribed fire. They are responsible for writing burn plans, determining an appropriate time to conduct the burn, obtaining weather forecasts, considering smoke management, notifying officials, obtaining all equipment and qualified personnel needed. The burn boss oversees the prescribed fire and ensures that operations are conducted in a safe manner for personnel and the public before, during and after a burn.

 

What about the smoke?

Prescribed fires produce low intensity smoke and the impact to an area is short term. Fire managers recognize that smoke is a concern to many communities, so they carefully evaluate smoke dispersion conditions to minimize impacts to the public and nearby communities.

 

When does the burning occur?

Texas A&M Forest Service conducts most of their prescribed fires during the dormant season between November and April.

 

Do prescribed fires need to be reported in advance?

By Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) rule, if you are burning for forest management purposes, you are required to notify the Texas A&M Forest Service prior to conducting any prescribed burning. Texas A&M Forest Service encourages citizens statewide to notify an agency dispatch office prior to any prescribed burning. This is simply a notification in advance of conducting a prescribed fire; Texas A&M Forest Service does not grant approval for any burn.

What is prescribed fire?

Prescribed fire is the planned application of low-intensity fire to the landscape by fire and fuel specialists. These burns are planned in accordance with applicable laws, policies and regulations to meet specific land management objectives.

 

Why does Texas A&M Forest Service conduct prescribed fires?

Prescribed fire is one of the most efficient land management tools that we use as a part of active forest and land management. Fire has always been part of the environment and plays a vital role in maintaining certain ecosystems. Prescribed fire is one of the most effective tools we have in preventing wildfires and managing the intensity and spread of wildfires. The benefits of prescribed fire include:

• Protect communities from destructive wildfires by reducing hazardous fuel build up,
• Give firefighters a safer place to work while fighting a wildfire,
• Promote new growth and soil health,
• Minimize the spread of pests, insects and disease,
• Improve wildfire habitat, and
• An efficient, cost-effective way to reduce hazardous fuels.  

 

What is a burn plan?

Texas A&M Forest Service prescribed fire practitioners write a burn plan for every project. The plan identifies the best conditions for conducting the fire to get the best results keeping in mind public and firefighter safety.

The plans written by Texas A&M Forest Servicce are thorough and include specific prescription parameters, a list of notifications to be made, smoke management considerations, vegetation and surface fuel information, natural resources or other considerations (e.g., endangered species habitat) in the project area, maps, objectives, weather considerations, personnel and equipment needed, safety hazards and any post-burn activities.

A burn plan outlines weather parameters for when fire can safely be put on the ground to meet the outlined objectives. This includes temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction and fuel moistures. Weather conditions are not only considered for the time of ignition but also the period prior to and after a prescribed fire.

Other agencies and entities that conduct prescribed burns may follow different guidelines and procedures when writing their burn plans.

 

Who does the burning on Texas A&M Forest Service prescribed fires?

All prescribed fires led by Texas A&M Forest Service are conducted by trained and qualified professionals who are experienced in the areas of fire behavior and fire management techniques. Texas A&M Forest Service prescribed fire burn managers are certified by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and every prescribed fire has a qualified burn boss in charge of that project.

 

Other agencies and burn practitioners may have different certifications or licenses according to their governing entity’s protocols and guidelines.

 

What is a burn boss?

The prescribed fire burn boss ensures that all prescribed fire plan specifications are met before, during and after a prescribed fire. They are responsible for writing burn plans, determining an appropriate time to conduct the burn, obtaining weather forecasts, considering smoke management, notifying officials, obtaining all equipment and qualified personnel needed. The burn boss oversees the prescribed fire and ensures that operations are conducted in a safe manner for personnel and the public before, during and after a burn.

 

What about the smoke?

Prescribed fires produce low intensity smoke and the impact to an area is short term. Fire managers recognize that smoke is a concern to many communities, so they carefully evaluate smoke dispersion conditions to minimize impacts to the public and nearby communities.

 

When does the burning occur?

Texas A&M Forest Service conducts most of their prescribed fires during the dormant season between November and April.

 

Do prescribed fires need to be reported in advance?

By Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) rule, if you are burning for forest management purposes, you are required to notify the Texas A&M Forest Service prior to conducting any prescribed burning. Texas A&M Forest Service encourages citizens statewide to notify an agency dispatch office prior to any prescribed burning. This is simply a notification in advance of conducting a prescribed fire; Texas A&M Forest Service does not grant approval for any burn.

May 4, 2022 update: This prescribed burn has been cancelled due to unfavorable weather conditions. 

 May 4, 2022

Location:  The Cole Mountain prescribed burn area is located eight miles east of Buena Vista within the Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area.

Date and Time:  Fire Specialists plan to begin igniting a 440-acre section of this prescribed burn area on Thursday, May 5, if weather conditions allow.

Purpose: Prescribed fire has multiple environmental and social benefits. This prescribed burn will help reduce vegetation and restore open fields, maintaining breathtaking Appalachian Trail views and creating early successional wildlife habitat.
Road and Trail Closures:  The Old Hotel Trail (Forest Service Trail #515) and portions of the Appalachian Trail from Cow Camp Gap to Hog Camp Gap will be temporarily closed for the duration of the burn, at least six hours and until the trail is safe for use again. Portions of Hog Camp Road (Forest Service Road #48) and North Fork of the Buffalo Road (FSR #51) may also be temporarily closed. For your safety, please follow posted signs and closures when they occur.
Additional Information: The controlled burn may have lingering smoke effects in the surrounding area. Depending on wind direction, residents and travelers in these areas may see or smell smoke.

Expect reduced visibility, drive with caution and use fog lights if driving through smoke.

Smoke is expected to lift high into the air during the daytime, but may settle into low lying areas in the evenings. The fire will continue to burn in the area until significant precipitation occurs. Rain is forecasted for Friday and Saturday. Firefighters will continue to monitor the burn for several days.  

Safety is the Forest Service’s top priority, and Forest fire managers will conduct this prescribed burn only under appropriate weather conditions. Experienced fire managers will closely monitor local weather conditions, such as wind and humidity, and adjust the schedule as needed to ensure the safety of both crewmembers and local residents. Prior to lighting the burn, crews construct and designate firebreaks to ensure the fire does not leave the burn area. Some individual trees will burn, but the fire should travel mostly across the forest floor.

For the most up-to-date information visit the InciWeb site: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7945/ and follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GWJNF and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GWJNF
 

Location:  The 1,034-acre Black Horse Gap burn area is located three miles northwest of Montvale and ten miles northeast of Roanoke on National Forest Service lands in the Day Creek trailhead area.

Date and Time:  Fire Specialists may begin igniting the prescribed burn as soon as Sunday, April 24, if weather conditions allow. Small sections of the area would burn on Sunday to reinforce and expand fire control lines. Fire Specialists plan to ignite the larger prescribed burn area on Monday, April 25.

Purpose: Prescribed fire has multiple benefits. The purpose of this burn is to help keep the public and homes safe by reducing the buildup of dried leaves and wood in nearby forest land that can lead to uncontrolled wildfires. This area has a history of wildfires which threatened nearby residences, including the 1,151-acre Quarry wildfire in 2006 and the 1,519-acre Blackhorse wildfire in 2008. This prescribed burn will also help restore yellow pine to the landscape and improve wildlife habitat by creating more open woodland conditions.  Road and Trail Closures:  The section of the Blue Ridge Parkway from the intersection with U.S. Route 460 to the intersection with State Route 43 will be closed during the burning operations on Monday, April 25. The Day Creek Trailhead, portions of the Glenwood Horse Trail (Forest Trail #3004E) and Forest Service Roads Day Creek (Forest Road#3078) and Black Horse Gap East (Forest Road #186-2) will be temporarily closed for the duration of the burn on both Sunday, April 24 and Monday, April 25. For your safety, please follow posted signs and closures when they occur.  Additional Information: Smoke from this burn will be visible throughout the area, including from the Blue Ridge Parkway, U.S. Route 11, I-81 and U.S. Route 460 and from the towns of Montvale, Buchanan, Bedford, Blue Ridge and Roanoke.  Expect reduced visibility, drive with caution and use fog lights if driving through smoke. Smoke is expected to lift high into the air during the daytime, but may settle into low lying areas in the evenings. There may be lingering smoke effects in the Montvale area. The fire will continue to burn in the area and firefighters will continue to monitor the burn for several days.   Forest Service fire specialists are conducting this burn in partnership with the National Park Service and Bedford County.  Safety is the Forest Service’s top priority, and Forest fire managers will conduct this prescribed burn only under appropriate weather conditions. Experienced fire managers will closely monitor local weather conditions, such as wind and humidity, and adjust the schedule as needed to ensure the safety of both crewmembers and local residents. Prior to lighting the burn, crews construct and designate firebreaks to ensure the fire does not leave the burn area. Some individual trees will burn, but the fire should travel mostly across the forest floor.   For the most up-to-date information visit the inciweb site: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7945/ and follow us on twitter: https://twitter.com/GWJNF and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GWJNF  

Location:  The Coffee Pot burn area is located one-mile southwest of Millboro Springs and seven miles west of Goshen.

Date and Time:  Forest Service fire specialists plan to begin the 344-acre burn on Saturday, April 23. You may see smoke from this prescribed burn for several days.

  Purpose: Prescribed burns improve wildlife habitat by restoring open woodlands and grasslands to the forest landscape.   Additional Information and Road Closures:  The Coffee Pot Road (Forest Road #462) may be temporarily closed. The prescribed burn is expected to have lingering smoke effects in the Millboro Springs area and along the State Route 42 and State Route 39 corridors.   Safety is the Forest Service’s top priority, and Forest fire managers will conduct prescribed burn only under appropriate weather conditions.   For the most up-to-date information visit the inciweb site: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7945/ and follow us on twitter: https://twitter.com/GWJNF and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GWJNF