SANTA FE, NM – April 4, 2021 – Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) are taking advantage of optimal conditions to conduct the previously announced Pacheco Canyon prescribed burn on the Española Ranger District today.
Smoke management is a key part of the planning and implementation of prescribed burns. The SFNF manages prescribed fires in compliance with New Mexico state regulations on air quality and smoke management. Smoke from the Pacheco Canyon prescribed burn may be visible in Santa Fe, Tesuque, Nambe, Los Alamos and Pojoaque as well as the I-25 and US 285/84 corridors for a day or two after the burn.
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.
The Pacheco Canyon prescribed burn unit is approximately 6 miles east of Tesuque Pueblo and 3 miles west of Ski Santa Fe. For additional information about the 550-acre Pacheco Canyon burn and its objectives, see the March 31 press release at https://go.usa.gov/xH3f9. Every prescribed burn is managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority.
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.
For more information on the Pacheco Canyon pile burn, contact the Española Ranger District at 505-753-7331.