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.

Jungle Prescribed Burn, Manzano Mountains in November

NEWS RELEASE
USDA Forest Service
Southwestern Region
Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands
Mountainair Ranger District
PO BOX 69
Mountainair, NM 87036
505-847-2990
http://fs.usda.gov/cibola

Contacts: Adrian Padilla - adrianpadilla@fs.fed.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jungle Prescribe Burn
Planned for Early-November

Mountainair, NM – October 26, 2011: Mountainair Ranger District Fire Officials are planning on continuing there Prescribed burn program. Fire Officials have been monitoring weather conditions and fuel moisture conditions. With the current moisture levels they plan to complete the Jungle Prescribed Burn in the Manzano Mountains within the next few weeks, possibly as early as next week.

The burn will be on National Forest lands located East of Forest Road #422, North of Forest Road #275 and west of the Forest Road #522. District Fire personnel are watching weather patterns closely and hope to accomplish burning approximately 186 acres sometime during the next week to two weeks. The purpose of the burn is to improve watershed and wildlife biodiversity as well as to reduce current fuel loadings and lessen the threat of wildfire to private property. The burn will be conducted only if fire personnel are available and weather patterns are conducive to burning.

If you have questions regarding the planned prescribed burn or any other Mountainair Ranger District questions, please call 505-847-2990 or email Adrian Padilla at adrianpadilla@fs.fed.us or Arlene Perea at atperea@fs.fed.us.

-end-

Fire within the Manzano Land Grant Raises Awareness

Mountainair Ranger District fire personnel along with several volunteer fire departments including Torreon, McIntosh, Estancia, Moriarty and Bernalillo County responded to a structure and brush fire yesterday within the Manzano Land Grant. The fire burned approximately 3-5 acres along with a couple of structures in the Manzano creek drainage area.

This is a good reminder that conditions out on the forest and beyond continue to be very dry. Fire danger indices on the Mountainair Ranger District have now hit the HIGH level and signs were changed yesterday morning to indicate this change. Everyone is encouraged to take EXTRA precautions with any outdoor fires or burning during this very dry time. Please remember that all burning on state land within Torrance County must be cleared through Torrance County Dispatch prior to any ignitions. You may call 505-384-2706 (non-emergency line) to find out what burning restrictions may be in place for the day. Persons caught illegally burning could face anything from a warning to a fine ranging from $50 to reimbursement for the cost to fight the fire.

Also, please note that we are under a RED FLAG WARNING today. Please read the following note from Karen Takai regarding these conditions...

During RED FLAG WARNING we recommend the following:

     No Campfires, No Smoking Outside, No Welding, No Brush Burning


Red Flag Warnings and Recommendations

A Red Flag Warning/Fire Weather Watch is issued by the National Weather Service for windy or dry weather that could promote large wildfires should an ignition occur. Typically fire response agencies increase fire prevention and suppression staffing levels during these periods. These warnings usually last for just a few days until the conditions change or subside. A Red Flag Warning does not necessarily mean that the Forest is closed to the public.

The factors that create the issuance of a red flag warning are sustained winds 15 mph or greater and relative humidity less than or equal to 25%. These factors greatly increase the possibility of large wildfires.

Even though fire restrictions might not be in place it is recommended that all campfires and open flames are extinguished until the red flag conditions are lifted and smoking be inside vehicles or buildings.

For further information on fire danger, contact Adrian Padilla or Arlene Perea at 505-847-2990 or email adrianpadilla@fs.fed.us or atperea@fs.fed.us .


Adrian Padilla
Fire Prevention Tech
Mountainair Ranger District
Cibola National Forest
Ph: 505-847-2990
Fx: 505-847-2238
E-mail: adrianpadilla@fs.fed.us

FIRE RESTRICTIONS LIFTED

FIRE RESTRICTIONS LIFTED ON
SANDIA AND MOUNTAINAIR RANGER DISTRICTS


ALBUQUERQUE, July 28, 2010 - Fire restrictions for the Sandia and Mountainair Ranger Districts will end Friday, July 30th at 8 a.m. Fire danger has decreased due to moisture and higher humidity over much of the Sandia and Mountainair Ranger Districts. Although restrictions are lifted, visitors are reminded to be careful with campfires and the use of chainsaws.

Campfire safety is still a concern year round. The public is asked to please follow these fire safety precautions when recreating in the forest:

• Build campfires away from overhanging branches, steep slopes, rotten stumps, logs, dry grass, pine needles and leaves. Pile extra wood away from the fire.
• Clear the campfire area down to bare soil.
• Keep your campfire safe and small, especially when it’s windy.
• Never leave your campfire unattended.
• Drown all campfires and charcoal with water and dirt, stir until ashes are cold to the touch.
• Do not bury coals as they can smolder and re-ignite later.
• Make sure your fire is dead out before leaving.
• The use of fireworks of any kind is strictly prohibited on all National Forest lands.

When planning a trip to your National Forest, KNOW BEFORE YOU GO. For fire restrictions and other fire information for recreation sites in New Mexico, log on to http://www.nmfireinfo.com/ Additional fire information for the Southwest Area is available at http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/index.htm