Wester Fire Postponed Til Thursday

The Wester Prescribed burn that had been scheduled for today has been postponed due to the detection of the Rooster Fire. The Rooster Fire was spotted Tuesday afternoon around 4pm. It is located on the top of the Manzano Mountains around the Crest Trail and Gallo Peak. It is believed to be about 1 acre in size at this time. Firefighters from the Mt. Taylor Hotshots along with Mountainair Ranger District Personnel have begun hiking to the fire and will work on suppression throughout the day.

The Wester Prescribed Burn is tentatively rescheduled for tomorrow. This is all dependent on the successful containment of the Rooster Fire as well as continued cooperation of the weather. You may reply or call me at the Mountainair Ranger District with any questions at 505-847-2990.

Rooster Fire Detected - Mountainair Ranger District

Rooster Fire Detected on the

Mountainair Ranger District

Approximately 17 Fire personnel from the Mountainair Ranger District as well as the Mt. Taylor Hot Shots and Apache Kid fire crew are working on suppression of the Rooster Fire which was detected Tuesday afternoon. The Rooster fire is approximately 5-6 acres in size and is burning in mixed conifer. It is located in an extremely rugged area just west of the Manzano Crest Trail near Gallo Peak. The cause of this fire is undetermined at this time but we do know there was a lightning storm that passed through this area on Friday, September 28.

Weather challenges are expected this afternoon on the West side of the Manzano Mountains as a front moves through the area. The winds are predicted to gust to up to 40mph with low relative humidities. Wind conditions should improve after today with a cold front expected to raise humidities through the weekend. A helicopter has been brought in to aid firefighters in shuttling gear, food and water to this very remote and rugged part of the mountain.

The Wester (A1) Prescribed Burn that was planned for today has been postponed. A decision will be made later today as to if and when the burn will occur. Members of the Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) Veterans Green Corps who are currently on the Mountainair Ranger District to assist with the Wester Burn will remain in place and could assist in the fire suppression efforts of the Rooster Fire if necessary. They are currently working on reinforcing fire lines on prescribed burn areas planned for later in the fall and winter.

For further information about the Rooster Fire or the Wester (A1) Prescribed Burn, please contact the Mountainair Ranger district at 505-847-2990 or email atperea@fs.fed.us. (Torrance County)

Mountainair Ranger District Plans Prescribe Burn

Mountainair Ranger District Plans Prescribe Burn

Mountainair, NM – September 26, 2012. The Cibola National Forest and Grasslands’ Mountainair Ranger District is planning a prescribed burn in the Manzano Mountains. The Wester (A1) Prescribed Burn will encompass approximately 16 acres located on the south side of Forest Road 275 and north of the Thunderbird private property. The goal of this project is to improve watershed and wildlife biodiversity and to protect private property in the event of a wildfire.

Mountainair Ranger District fire staff has been closely monitoring fuel moisture conditions and weather patterns. If conditions remain favorable, the prescribed burn will occur on Wednesday, October 3, 2012. Fire management crews will monitor the burn for as long as necessary after ignition to ensure public safety.

Members of the Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) Veterans Green Corps will assist Forest Service personnel in the prescribed burn. The Cibola National Forest and Grasslands is partnering with the SCC to provide veterans with land management and wildland firefighting training experience.

During the prescribed burn, NFS Roads 275 and 422 will have temporary road signs warning about smoke and activity on the roads and some light smoke may observed in the area. Additional fire vehicles will be in the area patrolling and monitoring the roads. Please drive carefully when on these roads, as visibility might be lowered due to smoke.

If you have questions regarding the planned prescribed burn or any other Mountainair Ranger District questions, please call 505.847.2990 or e-mail Adrian Padilla at adrianpadilla@fs.fed.us or Arlene Perea at atperea@fs.fed.us.

East Thunderbird Prescribed Burn Sucessful

Posted from an email received:

Just a short note to let you all know that the East Thunderbird Prescribed Burn that was conducted yesterday was fully successful. An area of approximately 70 acres was previously thinned. We were unable to complete this burn last winter due to the lack of moisture. We re-entered the area yesterday to burn the remaining slash. The burn met all objectives from improving wildlife habitat to lessoning the threat of wildfire to private property. This is the first of several broadcast burns planned this fall and winter. We will be continuing to look for burning windows to continue with our prescribed burning program. More to follow…

Please pass this note along to anyone interested. Also, if anyone else wishes to be added to our District Fire Information Email list, please respond to this email. (atperea@fs.fed.us)

 Thanks - Arlene

Website: http://fs.usda.gov/cibola

Arlene T. Perea
Recreation Tech.
Mountainair Ranger District
P.O. Box 69
Mountainair, NM 87036
(w) 505-847-2990
(f) 505-847-2238

Mountainair Ranger District Opening Roads This Week

Mountainair, NM, March 22, 2011: The Mountainair Ranger District will be reopening various roads that have been under winter closures. The roads to be opened include FR 275, FR 422, FR 253 and FR 245 up to New Canyon Campground. Roads to remain closed include FR 321 and FR 245 from New Canyon Campground to Capilla Peak. The road leading to Comanche trailhead on the West side of the Manzano Mountains also remains under a private closure until easement issues can be finalized.

Mountainair Ranger District fire personnel would like to remind everyone that conditions throughout the district remain dry. Fire Danger is currently listed as HIGH trending toward VERY HIGH. There are currently no restrictions in place but everyone is reminded to take extra precautions and follow some basic fire safety rules:

• Make sure that you can have a campfire—obey and cooperate with all fire bans, restrictions and closures;
• If campfires are allowed, use an existing fire ring or clear a campfire site down to bare soil;
• Build a ring out of rocks. Keep the fire under four feet in diameter with no less than a ten foot clearance around it;
• Build the fire away from overhanging branches, steep slopes and dry grass;
• Keep a bucket of water and a shovel near the campfire;
• When putting a campfire out, drown it with water, stir the fire with dirt and more water until all the fuel is cold to the touch. Never leave a fire until it is out cold.
• If you do not have water, use dirt. Mix enough dirt or sand with the embers. Continue adding and stirring until all material is cool. Remember: Do NOT bury the fire as the fire will continue to smolder and could catch roots on fire that will eventually get to the surface and start a wildfire.

For road closure information or for any other issues, please contact the
Mountainair Ranger District at 505-847-2990.

Thanks - Arlene
Follow us on TWITTER: CIBOLA_NF

Website: http://fs.usda.gov/cibola

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Arlene T. Perea

Recreation Tech.

Mountainair Ranger District

P.O. Box 69

Mountainair, NM 87036

(O) 505-847-2990

(F) 505-847-2238

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Magdalena Ranger District Plans Sargent Prescribed Burn

MAGDALENA RANGER DISTRICT PLANS


SARGENT PRESCRIBED BURN

MAGDALENA, NM – NOVEMBER 8, 2010 - The Cibola National Forest, Magdalena Ranger District is planning prescribed burns totaling 800 -1,000 acres in the northwestern part of the San Mateo Mountains. Ignition is planned to begin Tuesday, November 16, 2010, and could continue into December, depending on weather and fuel conditions. Prescription parameters include having the appropriate weather forecast and the required personnel and equipment on hand, including identified contingency resources. Fire management crews will patrol for as long as necessary after ignition to ensure public safety.

The Sargent prescribed burn area is located on the Magdalena Ranger District approximately 28 miles southwest of Magdalena, New Mexico and about 33 miles northwest of Truth or Consequences. The dominant fuels in the area are Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer and piñon/juniper with light to moderate grass cover. This burn will help improve wildlife habitat and range management.

During this prescribed burn you could experience delays when traveling the following roads: Forest Road (FR) 220, FR 476, FR 477, FR 549, FR 719, and Bolander Canyon Road, Durfee Canyon Road, and Bear Trap Canyon road. Additional fire vehicles will be in the area patrolling and monitoring the road. Please drive carefully when on these roads. Visibility might be lower due to smoke. Use caution.

For more information contact the Magdalena Ranger District at 575-854-2281 or email cwolfe@fs.fed.us.

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Adrian Padilla - New Fire Prevention Technician, Mountainiar Ranger District

Fire Information Folks,

I'd like to take a moment to introduce Adrian Padilla, new Fire Prevention Technician on the Mountainair Ranger District. Adrian has been on the Mountainair Ranger District previously as Engine Operator. He has returned to us from Sandia and will be taking on the Prevention position. With that said, you will start receiving emails (starting today) from Adrian regarding any prescribed burning to be done on the district. I will continue to send out information as necessary, but you will be seeing more prescribed fire information from him. Adrian will also be taking on many of the prevention programs such as defensible space and Smokey programs. Please feel free to contact him or I regarding prescribed or wildfire information.

Thanks - Arlene T. Perea, Recreation Tech.
Mountainair Ranger District
P.O. Box 69
Mountainair, NM 87036
(O) 505-847-2990     (F) 505-847-2238
!!! THANKS FOR SERVING ADRIAN AND CONGRATULATIONS !!!

CIBOLA NATIONAL FOREST WAIVES RECREATION FEES

CIBOLA NATIONAL FOREST WAIVES RECREATION FEES
AUGUST 14TH AND 15TH

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – August 9, 2010 – The Cibola National Forest and Grasslands will join other federal agencies in hosting a fee waiver weekend. Fees will be waived on the Sandia Ranger District August 14th and 15th Saturday and Sunday. Overnight camping fees will also be waived at all campgrounds on the Cibola National Forest and the Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands for the night of August 14th only. Please note reservations that have been made and paid for through the national reservation system will NOT be waived.
Additional upcoming fee waiver dates for 2010:

September 25, 2010 – Saturday, National Public Lands Day
November 11, 2010 – Thursday, Veteran’s Day

The Cibola National Forests and Grasslands offer a tremendous diversity of landscapes with many recreation opportunities. The Cibola National Forest includes a collection of mountain ranges scattered east and south of Albuquerque and west to the state’s border with Arizona, including the Sandia, Manzano, Zuni Mountains and Mount Taylor, and the Magdalena, San Mateo, and Bear Mountains near Socorro.

For more information call the Cibola National Forest Supervisor's Office, 505-346-3900.

www.fs.fed.us/r3/cibola
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