A Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) team was established this week by the Lincoln National Forest to begin a burned area assessment of the Three Rivers Fire.  As information is available, it will be posted on this Three Rivers Post-fire BAER InciWeb page. 
 
BAER surveys are rapid assessments that evaluate the burned area to identify watersheds that may have increased potential for post-fire flooding, erosion, debris flows and rockslides.  Since the BAER survey is a rapid assessment to assist land managers to prepare the burned area for future rain events, the team will initially focus on potential emergency impacts to life and safety on National Forest System lands.  The team will then share its findings with partner agencies.
 
BAER teams consist of scientists and specialists, including hydrologists, soil scientists, engineers, botanists, biologists, archeologists and more.  These teams collect data during their burned area surveys and present their findings and recommended stabilization treatments or actions in a BAER assessment report.  For additional information on what BAER is, check the announcement section of this InciWeb page.
 
BAER teams utilize satellite imagery which is then validated on the ground and adjusted where needed by soil specialists to produce a map that shows the level of soil burn severity on the watersheds.  Changes in soil properties are the primary cause of increased post-fire erosion, flooding and debris flow potential.  This is the first step in assessing potential watershed impacts from the wildfire to any values that may be at risk from potential increased flooding, sedimentation, debris flows and rockslides.  BAER emergency response efforts are focused on the protection of human life, safety and property, as well as critical cultural and natural resources such as the water quality of streams on National Forest System lands. 
 
BAER reports are shared with interagency cooperators who work to identify and prepare for potential post-fire flooding and debris flow impacts. 
 
This is just one step of recovery. Initially, BAER reports are shared with interagency cooperators who work to identify and prepare for potential post-fire flooding and debris flow impacts. The Lincoln National Forest will continue to work with cooperators in the area to look at longer-term recovery needs following the fire. 
 
SAFETY MESSAGE:  Everyone near and downstream from the burned area should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains over burn scars.  Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events.  Be prepared to take action. 

Start date: May 9, 2021

Cause: Lightning

Location: 9 miles east of Pecos and 3 miles southwest of the Barillas Lookout on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF)

Size: 1,621 acres after implementing management strategy to add low- to moderate-intensity fire to the ground to achieve resource benefit and reduce the risk of high-severity wildfire in the future.  

Resources: 1 Type 2 hand crew and 2 engines

Fuels:  Ponderosa pine, piñon-juniper, Douglas fir and oak brush

Operations: Low- to moderate-intensity flames pushing through the interior of the Cuervito Fire continue to find unburned pockets of dry fuels. Today, the fire put up more smoke as it burned through the buildup of woody debris on the ground. Firefighters are patrolling the control lines and continuing to mop up.

Weather: A moist backdoor cold front may move in tonight with a chance for showers and thunderstorms each afternoon and evening through the middle of next week. Friday will have a 50% chance of precipitation with scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. Winds tonight will be in the 10 to 15 mph range out of the north.

Values at risk: Private property nearby

Smoke:  Smoke management is a key part of the planning and implementation of managed wildfire. Smoke from the Cuervito Fire may impact Santa Fe, Pecos, Las Vegas, Rowe, Glorieta, La Cueva, North and South San Ysidro, Ilfeld, San Jose, San Juan, Tecolote, Soham, Ribera, Serafina, Bernal, Anton Chico, Mineral Hill, San Geronimo and Pablo as well as the I-25 from the Caja Fire is likely to be visible from Santa Fe to Los Alamos and along the I-25 corridor and the 599 Bypass, mingling with smoke from the Medio Fire and multiple fires burning in adjacent states. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into the Santa Fe area to see the latest smoke information.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. 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 at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

Fire updates will be posted on the SFNF website, New Mexico Fire Information website and on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.

# # #

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Start date: May 9, 2021                                         

Cause: Lightning           

Location: 9 miles east of Pecos and 3 miles southwest of the Barillas Lookout on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF)

Size: 1,621 acres after implementing management strategy to add low- to moderate-intensity fire to the ground to achieve resource benefit and reduce the risk of high-severity wildfire in the future.  

Resources: 1 Type 2 hand crew and 3 engines

Fuels:  Ponderosa pine, piñon-juniper, Douglas fir and oak brush

Operations: Low- to moderate-intensity flames are continuing to move through available fuel on the fire’s interior, putting some smoke into the air. Fire managers expect the smoke to taper off over the next few days. Firefighters continued securing the southern end of the Cuervito Fire and mopping up along the edges.

Weather: Higher temperatures and lower humidity is expected across the area with partly cloudy skies tonight followed by sunny weather tomorrow. Winds tonight are from the west at 15 to 20 mph, shifting to the north after midnight. A 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms could bring additional precipitation on Friday afternoon.

Values at risk: Private property nearby

Smoke:  Smoke management is a key part of the planning and implementation of managed wildfire. Smoke from the Cuervito Fire may impact Santa Fe, Pecos, Las Vegas, Rowe, Glorieta, La Cueva, North and South San Ysidro, Ilfeld, San Jose, San Juan, Tecolote, Soham, Ribera, Serafina, Bernal, Anton Chico, Mineral Hill, San Geronimo and Pablo as well as the I-25 from the Caja Fire is likely to be visible from Santa Fe to Los Alamos and along the I-25 corridor and the 599 Bypass, mingling with smoke from the Medio Fire and multiple fires burning in adjacent states. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into the Santa Fe area to see the latest smoke information.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. 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 at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

Fire updates will be posted on the SFNF website, New Mexico Fire Information website and on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.

# # #

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Start date: May 9, 2021                                         

Cause: Lightning           

Location: 9 miles east of Pecos and 3 miles southwest of the Barillas Lookout on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF)

Size: 1,621 acres after implementing management strategy to add low- to moderate-intensity fire to the ground to achieve resource benefit and reduce the risk of high-severity wildfire in the future.  

Resources: 1 hotshot crew, 1 type 2 hand crew and 4 engines

Fuels:  Ponderosa pine, piñon-juniper, Douglas fir and oak brush

Operations: Areas that received rain are beginning to dry out. As the fire moves through unburned interior pockets of fuel, we are seeing an increase in smoke production during the day. Firefighters continued to secure the fire edge along the southern perimeter and monitor the interior.

Weather: The forecasted weather for tonight is partly cloudy with temperatures ranging between 41 and 45 degrees and southwest winds are expected at 7 to 11 mph.

Values at risk: Private property nearby

Smoke:  Smoke management is a key part of the planning and implementation of managed wildfire. Smoke from the Cuervito Fire may impact Santa Fe, Pecos, Las Vegas, Rowe, Glorieta, La Cueva, North and South San Ysidro, Ilfeld, San Jose, San Juan, Tecolote, Soham, Ribera, Serafina, Bernal, Anton Chico, Mineral Hill, San Geronimo and Pablo as well as the I-25 from the Caja Fire is likely to be visible from Santa Fe to Los Alamos and along the I-25 corridor and the 599 Bypass, mingling with smoke from the Medio Fire and multiple fires burning in adjacent states. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into the Santa Fe area to see the latest smoke information.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. 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 at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

Fire updates will be posted on the SFNF website, New Mexico Fire Information website and on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.

# # #

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Cause: Lightning          

Location: 9 miles east of Pecos and 3 miles southwest of the Barillas Lookout on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF)

Size: 1,621 acres after implementing management strategy to add low- to moderate-intensity fire to the ground to achieve resource benefit and reduce the risk of high-severity wildfire in the future

Resources: 1 interagency hotshot crew and 3 engines

Fuels:  Ponderosa pine, piñon-juniper, Douglas fir and oak brush

Operations:  Firefighters on scene continued to monitor the Cuervito Fire, patrolling and mopping up the edges. Interior pockets continue to burn, putting up some smoke in the process.

Weather:  The forecasted weather for the area is dry and warm through most of the week with winds in the 10 to 15 mph range.

Values at risk: Private property nearby

Smoke: Smoke management is a key part of the planning and implementation of managed wildfire. Smoke from the Cuervito Fire may impact Santa Fe, Pecos, Las Vegas, Rowe, Glorieta, La Cueva, North and South San Ysidro, Ilfeld, San Jose, San Juan, Tecolote, Soham, Ribera, Serafina, Bernal, Anton Chico, Mineral Hill, San Geronimo and Pablo as well as the I-25 corridor. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to search for current smoke information.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. 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 at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

Fire updates will be posted on the SFNF website, New Mexico Fire Information website and on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.

# # #

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Crews Cleaned Up Interior Pockets of Fuel

Start date: May 9, 2021                                        Cause: Lightning          

Location: 9 miles east of Pecos and 3 miles southwest of the Barillas Lookout on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF)

Size: 1,621 acres after implementing management strategy to add low- to moderate-intensity fire to the ground to achieve resource benefit and reduce the risk of high-severity wildfire in the future

Resources: 1 Hotshot crew and 4 engines

Fuels:  Ponderosa pine, piñon-juniper, Douglas fir and oak brush

Operations:  The Cuervito Fire received less moisture than some of the surrounding area overnight, and unburned fuels on the interior were active today. Crews used hand ignitions on the interior to reinforce control lines, putting up some smoke in the process. Crews continued securing line and mopping up for the remainder of the day.

Weather:  Tonight will be clear with 0% chance of precipitation and winds from the west at 15 to 20 mph. Temperatures will be above normal during the first half of the week as the area dries out from weekend storms.

Values at risk: Private property nearby

Smoke: Smoke management is a key part of the planning and implementation of managed wildfire. Smoke from the Cuervito Fire may impact Santa Fe, Pecos, Las Vegas, Rowe, Glorieta, La Cueva, North and South San Ysidro, Ilfeld, San Jose, San Juan, Tecolote, Soham, Ribera, Serafina, Bernal, Anton Chico, Mineral Hill, San Geronimo and Pablo as well as the I-25 corridor. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to search for current smoke information.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. 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 at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

Fire updates will be posted on the SFNF website, New Mexico Fire Information website and on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.

# # #

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Start date: May 9, 2021                                        Cause: Lightning          

Location: 9 miles east of Pecos and 3 miles southwest of the Barillas Lookout on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF)

Size: 1,621 acres after implementing management strategy to add low- to moderate-intensity fire to the ground to achieve resource benefit and reduce the risk of high-severity wildfire in the future

Resources: 1 Hotshot crew, 4 engines, road grader

Fuels:  Ponderosa pine, piñon-juniper, Douglas fir and oak brush

Operations:  Crews continued securing line and monitoring the Cuervito Fire today, keeping an eye on interior pockets that are continuing to burn ground-level vegetation at low intensity.

Weather: A 90% chance of precipitation tonight is expected to bring widespread showers and thunderstorms to the area with winds out of the south at 25 to 35 mph. Drier air is expected to move in on Sunday, with clear skies forecast for next week. 

Values at risk: Private property nearby

Smoke: Smoke management is a key part of the planning and implementation of managed wildfire. Smoke from the Cuervito Fire may impact Santa Fe, Pecos, Las Vegas, Rowe, Glorieta, La Cueva, North and South San Ysidro, Ilfeld, San Jose, San Juan, Tecolote, Soham, Ribera, Serafina, Bernal, Anton Chico, Mineral Hill, San Geronimo and Pablo as well as the I-25 corridor. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to search for current smoke information.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. 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 at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

Fire updates will be posted on the SFNF website, New Mexico Fire Information website and on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.

# # #

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Start date: May 9, 2021                                        Cause: Lightning          

Location: 9 miles east of Pecos and 3 miles southwest of the Barillas Lookout on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF)

Size: 1,621 acres after implementing management strategy to add low- to moderate-intensity fire to the ground to achieve resource benefit and reduce the risk of high-severity wildfire in the future

Resources: 1 Hotshot crew, 3 engines, heavy equipment overhead

Fuels:  Ponderosa pine, piñon-juniper, Douglas fir and oak brush

Operations:  Today crews focused on holding and securing the line after completing the last 300+ acres on the southern end of the fire yesterday. The only ignitions today were hand ignitions to clean up interior pockets of fuel. Burnout operations are now complete on the Cuervito Fire. Firefighters’ efforts will now focus on holding the perimeter and monitoring the Cuervito Fire.   

Weather: A 70% chance of precipitation is likely to bring showers and isolated thunderstorms into the area overnight. Winds will be out of the south at 15 to 25 mph. The forecast for Saturday promises even more moisture with an 80% chance of precipitation.

Values at risk: Private property nearby

Smoke: Smoke management is a key part of the planning and implementation of managed wildfire. Smoke from the Cuervito Fire may impact Santa Fe, Pecos, Las Vegas, Rowe, Glorieta, La Cueva, North and South San Ysidro, Ilfeld, San Jose, San Juan, Tecolote, Soham, Ribera, Serafina, Bernal, Anton Chico, Mineral Hill, San Geronimo and Pablo as well as the I-25 corridor. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to search for current smoke information.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. 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 at https://nmtracking.org/fire.

Fire updates will be posted on the SFNF website, New Mexico Fire Information website and on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.

# # #

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

SANTA FE, NM – May 20, 2021 – The Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) spent its final day on the Cuervito Fire preparing to turn command of the fire back to the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) at 6 a.m. Friday morning.

Since May 13, the IMT has used hand and aerial ignitions to add low- to moderate-intensity fire to the ground as part of a management strategy to use this lightning-caused wildfire to achieve significant benefits on the ground and reduce the risk of high-severity wildfire in the future.

Location:  9 miles east of Pecos and 3 miles southwest of the Barillas Lookout on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District

Start Date:  May 9, 2021

Size:  Approximately 1,300 acres

Cause:  Lightning

Resources Assigned:  1 crew and 3 engines

Fuels:  Ponderosa pine, piñon-juniper, Douglas fir and oak brush

Operations:  Today crews continued to secure the edges of the fire and prepared to transition command of the Cuervito Fire to a Type 4 IMT from the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District. 

Weather:  Tonight will be partly cloudy with scattered rain showers after midnight. Winds will be out of the south at 15 to 25 mph.

Values at risk:  Firefighter and public safety is always the number-one priority for the IMT. Values at risk include private property nearby.

Smoke:  Smoke management is a key part of the planning and implementation of managed wildfire. Smoke from the Cuervito Fire may impact the communities of Santa Fe, Pecos, Las Vegas, Rowe, Glorieta, La Cueva, North and South San Ysidro, Ilfeld, San Jose, San Juan, Tecolote, Soham, Ribera, Serafina, Bernal, Anton Chico, Mineral Hill, San Geronimo and Pablo as well as the I-25 corridor and the Pecos National Historical Park.

Safety:  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. Information on the Forest Stewards Guild’s HEPA Filter Loan Program is available here.

Fire updates will be posted on the SFNF website, New Mexico Fire Information website, Inciweb and on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.

# # #

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

SANTA FE, NM – May 18, 2021 – While a weather cell over the Cuervito Fire on the Santa Fe National Forest put a hold on operations during much of the day, the Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) continued releasing resources from the fire.

Since lightning sparked the Cuervito Fire on Mother’s Day, crews have successfully added low- to moderate-intensity fire to the ground to reduce the hazardous build-up of heavy vegetation, including dead and down timber and needle litter on the forest floor. Managing a naturally ignited wildfire for resource benefit protects communities and resources by reducing the risk of high-severity fire in the future.

Location:  9 miles east of Pecos and 3 miles southwest of the Barillas Lookout on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District

Start Date:  May 9, 2021

Size:  Approximately 1,300 acres with the potential for approximately 1,600 acres

Cause:  Lightning

Resources Assigned:  65 personnel on scene, including 2 hand crews, 2 engines, 1 dozer, 2 water tenders, 2 masticators and an unmanned aircraft system (UAS)

Fuels:  Ponderosa pine, piñon-juniper, Douglas fir and oak brush

Operations:  Today’s operations focused on a small 300-acre wedge on the southern end of the Cuervito Fire, continuing hand ignitions along dozer line when weather permitted. Aerial ignitions with the UAS were scrubbed due to weather.

Weather:  This evening will be partly cloudy, with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the evening and showers through the night. There is a 30% chance of precipitation, and temperatures will range between 36 and 40 degrees. Winds are expected to be out of the north at 5 to 10 mph with gusty and erratic winds near the thunderstorm.

Values at risk:  Firefighter and public safety is always the number-one priority for the IMT. Values at risk include private property nearby.

Smoke:  Smoke management is a key part of the planning and implementation of managed wildfire. Smoke from the Cuervito Fire may impact the communities of Santa Fe, Pecos, Las Vegas, Rowe, Glorieta, La Cueva, North and South San Ysidro, Ilfeld, San Jose, San Juan, Tecolote, Soham, Ribera, Serafina, Bernal, Anton Chico, Mineral Hill, San Geronimo and Pablo as well as the I-25 corridor and the Pecos National Historical Park.

Safety:  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. Information on the Forest Stewards Guild’s HEPA Filter Loan Program is available here.

Fire updates will be posted on the SFNF website, New Mexico Fire Information website, Inciweb and on the Santa Fe National Forest Facebook page and Twitter @SantafeNF.

# # #

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.