SANTA FE, NM – May 19, 2021 – As the vicinity of the Cuervito Fire received welcome moisture over the last few days, the Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) is wrapping up operations and preparing to turn command of the fire back to the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) at 6 a.m. Friday morning.

Since lightning sparked the Cuervito Fire on Mother’s Day, crews have successfully managed the naturally ignited wildfire to achieve significant resource benefits, reducing the buildup of hazardous fuels and 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

Cause:  Lightning

Resources Assigned:  37 personnel on scene, including 1 hand crew and 3 engines

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

Operations:  The area in proximity to the fire received up to half an inch of precipitation recently, effectively ending ignitions on the Cuervito Fire. Today crews focused on reinforcing the southern perimeter and securing all edges.

Weather:  Possible showers and thunderstorms this evening will shift to warmer, drier conditions on Thursday. Prospects for more precipitation increase again on Friday. There is a 60% chance of precipitation tonight with winds out of the southeast at 10 to 15 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.

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SANTA FE, NM – May 17, 2021 – The Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) in command of the lightning-caused Cuervito Fire on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) is continuing with both hand and aerial ignitions today as part of a management strategy to use low- to moderate-intensity fire to reduce the hazardous build-up of heavy vegetation, including dead and down timber and needle litter on the forest floor.

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:  4 hand crews, 5 engines, 2 dozers, 1 masticator, 1 water tender and 1 type 3 helicopter. Some resources will be released from the fire at the end of shift today.

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

Operations:  Today’s operations are focused on the southern half of the planning area with hand crews working along the fire’s perimeter and aerial ignitions continuing in the interior. The Cuervito Fire is being managed to achieve significant benefits on the ground, including a healthier forest and reduced risk of future high-severity wildfire.

Weather:  The front that moved in overnight brings a 70% chance of precipitation with slightly cooler temperatures today. Partly cloudy skies with a chance of rain showers and thunderstorms will continue into tonight with shifting winds in the 10 to 15 mph range. A low pressure system is expected to cross the state Tuesday, bringing more widespread showers and thunderstorms.

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.

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

SANTA FE, NM – May 16, 2021 – The Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) in command of the lightning-caused Cuervito Fire on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) began aerial ignitions in the fire’s interior as part of a management strategy to reintroduce low to moderate fire intensity into a primarily fire-adapted ecosystem and reduce the hazardous build-up of heavy and overgrown vegetation.

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 1,000 acres with the potential for approximately 1,600 acres

Cause:  Lightning

Resources Assigned:  4 hand crews, 5 engines, 2 dozers, 1 masticator, 1 water tender and 1 type 3 helicopter

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

Operations:  Aerial ignitions today in the fire’s interior are clearing woody debris from the forest floor while hand operations continued on the north end of the Cuervito Fire. Management activities will continue through the evening as conditions allow. The Cuervito Fire is being managed to achieve significant benefits on the ground, including a healthier forest and reduced risk of future high-severity wildfire.

Weather: The higher dew points return tonight as a back door cold front arrives after midnight. Humidity recoveries are looking good as the moisture hangs around on Monday with a better chance for showers and thunderstorms. Tonight, sky weather is looking to be mostly cloudy with a 10% chance of precipitation. Temperatures will be between 41 and 45 degrees with winds out of the southwest at 6 to 12 mph, shifting to northeast at 3 to 7 mph overnight.

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.

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

SANTA FE, NM – May 15, 2021 – Crews are monitoring fire behavior and weather conditions on the Cuervito Fire on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) as they continue to blackline the northern end of the fire and along Forest Road (FR) 200 on the east. The SFNF is managing the lightning-caused Cuervito Fire to reintroduce low-intensity fire back into a primarily fire-adapted ecosystem and reduce the hazardous build-up of heavy and overgrown vegetation.

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 350 acres with the potential for approximately 1,600 acres

Cause:  Lightning

Resources Assigned:  4 hand crews, 5 engines, 2 dozers, 1 masticator, 1 water tender and 1 type 3 helicopter

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

Operations:  Today crews added low-intensity fire along Forest Road (FR) 200 to FR 200J on the eastern side of the Cuervito Fire. Firefighters on the north side along FR 81 are using hand ignitions to increase depth along the dozer line. When conditions are optimal, the team will begin aerial ignitions along the ridgeline to encourage the fire to back down the slope and clear the woody debris on the forest floor. The plan is to keep the fire west of Sebadilla Creek, east of Apache Canyon, south of FR 81FD, and north of FR 81AA and 200H.

Weather: Partly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. There is a 30% chance of precipitation for the burn area. Temperatures range from 69 degrees to 73 degrees. Winds are out of the southwest at 8 to 13 mph with gusty and erratic winds expected near thunderstorms.  

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.

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

SANTA FE, NM – May 13, 2021 – A Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) will assume management responsibilities of the Cuervito Fire on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) at the end of shift tonight. The Cuervito Fire is approximately 100 acres and continues to spread with low intensity.

The SFNF decided to manage the lightning-caused fire by allowing it to play its natural role on the fire-adapted landscape. By consuming and reducing forest debris, the Cuervito Fire will promote a healthier forest and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires to surrounding communities.

Managing a naturally ignited wildfire is not equivalent to “letting it burn.” Forest and fire managers set specific objectives and develop a plan to achieve them based on conditions on the ground. The strategic and tactical expertise required to manage wildfire for resource benefit helps forest managers reach desired conditions on the land.

Location: 9 miles east of Pecos and 3 miles southwest of the Barillas Lookout

Start Date:  May 9, 2021

Size:  Approximately 100 acres with the potential for approximately 1,500 acres

Cause:  Lightning

Resources Assigned:  2 Hotshot crews, 4 engines, 1 dozer, 1 masticator, and miscellaneous overhead from the IMT

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

Operations:  Crews conducted hand ignitions along Forest Service Road (FSR) 81FB and FSR 200, which will strengthen control lines. There may be an increase in smoke visible from surrounding communities. The  intention is to keep the fire west of FSR 200 and 200M, south and east of FSR 81FB and north of FSR 81AA and 200H.

Weather:  Partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Winds are predicted to be out of the southwest between 5 to 8 mph, shifting to 8 to 12 mph in the afternoon. Gusty and erratic winds are expected near thunderstorms in the afternoon.

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.

Cuervito Fire Behavior Remains Low to Moderate
While Meeting Incident Objectives

SANTA FE, NM – May 14, 2021 –. The Type 3 Incident Management Team on the Cuervito Fire on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) will be conducting hand and aerial ignitions in the coming days 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.

Surrounding communities may see an increase in smoke as smoke settles into low areas at night and in the early mornings.  

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 130 acres with the potential for approximately 1,600 acres

Cause:  Lightning

Resources Assigned:  4 hand crews, 5 engines, 1 dozer, 1 masticator, 1 helicopter and miscellaneous overhead

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

Operations:  Fire behavior remained low to moderate today as firefighters continued with hand ignitions on the northwest side near Forest Road (FR) 81FB to FR 81ABB. This will create a buffer on the northern perimeter of the fire and promote a low to moderate backing fire. The intention is to keep the fire west of FR 200 and 200M, south and east of FR 81FB and north of FR 81AA and 200H.

Weather: Tonight will be partly cloudy with temperatures between 45 and 49 degrees. Winds are expected to be out of the west at 8 to 14 mph with gusts up to 20 mph in the evening.  

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.

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

SANTA FE, NM – May 12, 2021 – Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) are taking advantage of a lightning strike on Mother’s Day to achieve pre-determined resource objectives on about 1,500 acres on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District. Managing the Cuervito Fire will achieve significant benefits on the ground, including safer communities and a healthier forest.

Location: 9 miles east of Pecos and 3 miles southwest of the Barillas Lookout

Start Date:  May 9, 2021

Size:  Approximately 10 acres with the potential for approximately 1,500 acres

Cause:  Lightning

Resources Assigned:  2 engines, 1 dozer, 1 hotshot crew. A Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) will assume command of the Cuervito Fire tomorrow.

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

Operations:  Crews are scouting for containment lines today and prepping the lines in advance of aerial ignitions that will add low-intensity fire to the ground to achieve beneficial outcomes, including reducing hazardous fuels, improving wildlife habitat, recycling soil nutrients and building the trees’ resilience to insects and disease.

Weather:  The forecast for the next week includes scattered showers with relatively light winds and moderate temperatures.

Values at risk:  The Cuervito Fire will be managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority. 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.

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

Grants, NM – The National Park Service at El Malpais National Monument are conducting a prescribed fire on the North side of the monument adjacent to Hwy 53 between mm 68 and the entrance to the El Calderon area. The Lava Fields prescribed fire is approximately 375 acres. The prescribed fire is tentatively scheduled for the week of May 10th. Exact dates and times can change dependent on weather and fuel conditions. The prescribed fire is expected to last two to four days with smoke present for several days. Firefighters plan to use handheld ignitions.

The El Calderon Road (NPS 100 Road) will be closed to non-resident traffic during the ignition phase. Additionally the Continental Divide Trail (which is the southern boundary of the burn unit) will be closed for the days where active ignition is taking place. If conditions warrant, a pilot car may be used along Hwy 53. Please slow down, turn your headlights on, and watch for firefighters working along the Hwy when traveling in this area.

The primary objective of this prescribed fire is to improve forest health by reducing the build-up of vegetation that can fuel a wildfire. Fire plays a natural role at El Malpais and helps ensure the resiliency of this fire dependent ecosystem.

For questions about the prescribed fire call the El Malpais National Monument Visitor Center at (505) 876-2783. Fire information will also be available on https://inciweb.nwcg.gov and http://nmfireinfo.com. Learn more about what’s involved in planning and implementing a prescribed fire at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fire/index.htm.

 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREU.S. FOREST SERVICE PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST BRADSHAW RANGER DISTRICTTUSSOCK FIRE PUBLIC SAFETY CLOSUREPROHIBITIONSPursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited within the area described in this Order (the “Restricted Area”) and as depicted on the attached map, hereby incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A, within the Bradshaw-Chino Ranger District, Prescott National Forest, Yavapai County, Arizona.1. Going into or being upon the Restricted Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e).EXEMPTIONSPursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:1. Persons with a written Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.3. Residents, owners and lessees of private property within the Restricted Area are allowed ingress and egress only to and from their properties.RESTRICTED AREAThe Restricted Area consists of all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the boundary starting at the intersection of National Forest System Road (NFSR) 94 and the National Forest (NF) boundary, proceeding south along the NF boundary for approximately 11 miles, then following the NF boundary east for approximately 6 miles, then south 2 miles, then east 12 miles, then north approximately 17 miles, then west 3 miles, to the intersection with County Road (CR) 177, then following west along CR 177 for approximately 7 miles to its intersection with NFSR 52, then following NFSR 52 northwest 4 miles, to its intersection with NFSR 82, then following NFSR 82 south for approximately 3 miles to its intersection withOrder Number: 03-09-03-21-277NFSR 82A, then following NFSR 82A southwest to its intersection with NFSR 94, then following NFSR 94 northwest approximately 3 miles back to the point of beginning at its intersection with the NF boundary.Note: NFSR 94 is closed from NFSR 82A to the NF boundary. CR 177 is closed from the NF boundary to NFSR 52. NFSR 52 is closed from CR 177 to NFSR 82. NFSR 82 is closed from NFSR 52 to NFSR 82A. NFSR 82A is closed from NFSR 82 to NFSR 94.PURPOSETo provide for public and fire fighter health and safety due to firefighting operations and fire danger associated with the uncontrolled Tussock Fire on the Prescott National Forest.IMPLEMENTATION1.This Order will be effective on May 09, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. and shall remain in effect until 6:00 p.m. on June 30, 2021, or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.2.A map identifying the Restricted Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A.3.Any violation of this prohibition is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment fornot more than six (6) months, or both (see 16 U.S.C. § 551, 18 U.S.C. § 3571(b)(6),18 U.S.C. § 3581(b)(7)).4.Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the Bradshaw Ranger District located in Prescott, Arizona, telephone number 928 443-8000, and at the Prescott National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Chino Valley, telephone number 928 777-2200,and at http://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott.5.This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same acts covered by this  Order.Done at Prescott , AZ , this 9th _day of May, 2021.Kerwin DewberryActing Forest SupervisorPrescott National Forest