New Mexico Outdoor 

Roughing It In Luxury-Abiquiu, New Mexico 505.901.7321

Forest Fires

Sept 7th 2011

A fire burning 9 miles north of Santa Fe, N.M., had burned about 900 acres by Sunday morning and was being driven northeast into the Pecos Wilderness, U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Alberta Maez said. The fire broke out Saturday and was not threatening any structures, but hikers and residents In the Santa Fe Ski Basin, Aspen Basin, Aspen Vista, and Big Tesuque were told to be ready to leave is necessary.

U.S. Forest Service chief Tom Tidwell visited the Arizona fire operations Saturday to assess the progress.

Las Conchas Wildfire Contained

The pictures below, taken Monday July 11th, show the smokey, burned aftermath of the Las Conchas Wildfire..as it was it's closest to Los Alamos! They were shot at the airport ..and just over town..plumes of smoke still rising..sometimes inundating the town.

Just below..and lined up at the airport, 2 Sikorsky Sky Cranes (now Erickson Air Crane) and other firefighting heli awaiting loads of flame retardant to continue the battle. The fire, in spite of some Monsoon rains ..is still burning.



The Las Conchas wildfire is still very large and threatening! Thanks to the very valient job of the fire fighters and some wind shifts ..it has been contained outside of Los Alamos.

There has been much damage to Bandelier and Puye and santa Clara lands as a whole. The fire has been moving toward where the South Forks fire of last year ..about this time was.

Belows video..shows it's anatomy, as of July 4th. Scroll down for official update as of July 6th.

Las Conchas WIldfire Info as of 7-6-011


Overview

Firefighters expect hot, dry conditions today, with southwesterly winds. These winds may push the fire northeast. There is a chance of terrain-driven runs along drainages, which will push the fire upslope. With a probability of thunderstorms, firefighters will be watching for gusty, variable winds that can cause erratic fire behavior.

Resource advisors from the local pueblos continue working with incident management teams to identify sensitive historical and cultural sites. Archeologists are working with crews and equipment operators to protect these sites.

The New Mexico Dept of Health reminds residents of toll-free numbers they can call to discuss health-related concerns due to wildfires burning in New Mexico. People who have questions about health-related issues due to smoke can call the New Mexico Nurse Advice Line at 1-877-725-2552. Individuals who need to talk to a mental health professional can call 1-866-HELP-1-NM.

NORTH ZONE - Communities of Santa Clara, Chicoma Mountain, Los Alamos, Parajito Mountain Ski area and surrounding areas:

Santa Clara Area/Chicoma Mountain: Firefighters expect the fire to spread up the north and east faces of Chicoma Mountain today, then shift toward the southern portion of the South Fork Fire burn area. Today, firefighters will prepare Valencia Road and Forest Road 27 for burn-out where necessary and look for opportunities to prevent the fire from spreading toward the South Fork Fire burn area. Firefighters are working with the Santa Clara Pueblos to provide structure protection plans within Santa Clara Canyon.

Los Alamos Area: Firefighters continue to patrol and mop up burned areas, as well as check the fire perimeter for spot fires as a result of shifting winds.

Pajarito Mountain Ski Area: Today, the fire is expected to continue to back toward the Los Alamos area. As winds shift to the southwest, firefighters expect the fire to spread at a slightly higher rate, which will also increase the likelihood for spotting. Today, firefighters plan to conduct burn-outs along Forest Trail 287 and to develop and reinforce contingency lines where needed.

SOUTH ZONE - Communities/areas including Bandelier National Monument, Bland and Cochiti Canyons, Bearhead Peak, Vallecitos de Los Indios, Sierra Los Pinos and surrounding areas:

Bandelier: Crews continue chipping branches and other flammable material left from fire suppression activities along NM State Highway 4, near Bandelier National Monument. Residents continue to see smoke from this area, but all columns of smoke are within the fire perimeter.

Bland and Cochiti Canyons: Crews will patrol the canyons to identify and mop up hot spots. Cochiti Canyon road is inaccessible. Bland Canyon road is cleared of debris.

Bearhead Peak: Fire continues backing down Bearhead Peak toward Peralta Creek. An aerial ignition operation that was conducted yesterday reduced the chance of a major run across the creek and up Peralta Ridge. The crest of Peralta Ridge was treated with retardant, and aerial ignition was applied just below the ridgeline. The resulting low intensity fire moved slowly down the ridge, causing less damage to trees and other natural resources. Aerial ignition operations may continue today.

Crews are making final preparations to the fire line along Forest Road 266. This line was established several days ago as an anchor point to check the fire growth along the southwest edge of the fire. Recent moisture and weather conditions resulted in minimal to moderate fire activity around the communication sites, Peralta Ridge, and Bearhead Mountain.

Vallecitos de Los Indios/Sierra Los Pinos: Crews will continue cleanup on the fire containment line to Los Griegos, while providing structure protection around the communication center. The local fire department has a structure protection plan.

NORTHWEST ZONE - Communities of Cuba, La Jar, Regina, Gallina, Youngsville, Coyote, Canones, and surrounding areas:

Crews made progress yesterday securing fire line in the Valles Caldera Preserve from the south boundary of the Preserve north to Valles Caldera Road 09 and the northern fire perimeter. They also began work along Forest Roads 27 and 144.

Today, crews will continue to hold and mop-up the fire and clear fuels along Forest Roads 27 and 144, north to the junction of Forest Roads 27 and 22. Due to extensive work completed by firefighters last year during the South Fork Fire, less work is needed on Forest Road 27. Progress will be slow but steady given the steep terrain and heavy fuels in this area. A lot of work remains to be done on Forest Road 144.

Structural protection specialists continue assessing needs for all private in-holdings located west of Forest Road 27.

Location: On Santa Fe National Forest in Sandoval, Los Alamos, and Rio Arriba Counties; Santa Clara Reservation; Bandelier National Monument; Valles Caldera National Preserve; and state and private in-holdings.

Date Started: 06/26/2011

Cause: Human

Size: 130,691 acres (from infrared flight data)

Percent Contained: 30 %

Total Personnel: 2,557 including 63 crews

Resources: 20 Helicopters; 91 Engines; 35 Water Tenders; 14 Dozers

Size: 130,691 acres (from infrared flight data)

Residences: 410 threatened; 63 destroyed

Commercial Property: 45 threatened; 0 destroyed

Outbuildings: 110 threatened; 32 destroyed

Injuries to Date: 5

Pecheco Canyon Wildfire-

-NMO Update Saturday-June 25th shot from 34 miles away.

-The image below, taken from Los Alamos at about 7pm Thursday, looking down into Pecheco Canyon and an astounding smoke plume! It was taken from about 25 miles distant.

-The video was shot the first day (June 18th) of the fire from 34 miles distant.

-Daily Official Update



Pecheco Canyon Wildfire as of 7-6-011


Summary: The fire has been turned back to the local district and is in a monitor status. Rehabilitating the suppression lines continued, returning them to a more natural state, preparing them for seeding and preventing their future use as trails. In addition, the removal of equipment and supplies from the forest continued.

Cause: The Santa Fe National Forest is requesting that anyone having knowledge of or having been in the vicinity of the Pacheco Fire (north of Aspen Ranch by the Borrego Trail) between June 17 and June 18 please contact the Santa Fe National Forest at (505) 438-5372.

 

New Mexico Outdoor Navigational Links
      • Biking
      • Canoeing-Kayaking-Rafting
      • Calendar of Events  (Updated)
        • Art Scene  -Updated With With 2012's Featured Artists !!

           

        • Fly Fishing  <-- Many 2012 Updates from Devon Fletcher
        • Location

          Policies/Payment Options

        • Skiing-Boarding-X Skiing
        • Trail Riding
        • Native Culture 
            • Copyright . New Mexico Outdoor Adventures. All rights reserved.