We received this message from the local branch of the U. S. Forest Service today:
No prescribed burns on SFNF while in fire restrictions
SANTA FE, NM – April 25, 2018 – For Immediate Release.
Due to overall dry conditions fire managers announce they will not conduct prescribed burns on the Santa Fe National Forest while in fire restrictions.
Monsoon rains forecasted in July could, however, allow fire restrictions to be lifted sometime in the summer. If that happens, and if conditions allow, prescribed burns could resume as well.
SFNF officials remind the public that the entire SFNF is currently under Stage I fire restrictions, however the public can still access and enjoy the forest. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, SFNF officials urge everyone to practice good fire prevention.
Several criteria are used to determine when to implement fire restrictions, including fire activity levels, current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, and the availability of firefighting resources. Fire restriction criteria is routinely evaluated and restrictions could be upgraded or downgraded at any time. Therefore, forest visitors should check with the local district office in the area they plan to visit to know what level of fire restrictions are in effect.
They seem to be learning. Hurray for that!
In fairness, many of the forests are overgrown and in danger of intense wildfires like the one we experienced, so the Forest Service is trying to thin them out when it can be done safely. I’m glad that’s not my job.
the marine when i told him about it from your post said the same thing as your last paragraph. it’s a tricky balance to achieve i guess. he said more issues than we realize are involved.
but i’m so glad too that it’s not my job. a damned if you do or damned if you don’t type thing! that would be highly stressful!
our fires are finally out. and today is very cold and rainy off an on. which fire-wise right now is a good thing. the rain is a tiny amount but at least the humidity is high! and that’s good fire wise.
I’m glad you’re getting at least a little rain. 🙂 Another horrible job is trying to decide when to order an evacuation for a hurricane. With so many people leaving at once, evacuations themselves can be dangerous.
Burning seems to be a popular treatment in the effort to control underbrush, and thereby decrease the possibility of fires starting in the forest. On the prairies, grass fires used to be a concern, and were started to prevent build up, which accounted for wild grass fires. I experienced one when I was a kid, and will never forget how quickly it spread!
Yes, my grandmother had just an acre and a quarter, but she had a bad grass fire once, so she hired someone every year to cut the grass. For places without structures controlled burning is more appropriate. In our forests if conditions are right they can clear about 1000 acres a day with fire.
Our fire season here start usual sometime after mid July. Last year it was so smokey and you just stay in your place.
Coffee is on
Here June is usually the worst. We sometimes get a rainy season in July, but it’s been a lot punier the past few years.
sounds bad whatever they do…or not do…
Those decisions can be hard.
I am glad that they are indeed. I was a bit skeptical about the government employees in general the last time you posted. I am glad that they are better than what I expected.
🙂