News Release- June 24, 2011
Incident: Pacheco Fire Wildfire
Released: 6/24/2011
Pacheco Fire Update June 24, 2011 9:00 a.m. Fire Information: (505) 473-3760 or (505) 473-3792 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Note new phone numbers for information Acres: 5,800 Start date: June 18, 2011 Cause: Under Investigation Location: 2 miles north of Santa Fe Ski Basin Containment: 10 percent Fuels: Mixed conifer and Ponderosa pine Terrain: Steep, rugged Resources: 19 crews, 14 engines, 7 water tenders Total personnel: 704 Available air support: 9 helicopters
Summary: Yesterday the fire made a significant run to the north in the area of Rancho Viejo. The fire burned to within a quarter mile of the Rio Capulin River. Strong winds helped push the fire, along with high atmospheric instability, which resulted in rapid rates of spread. Firefighters maintained and improved the established anchor point and continued fire line construction on the south and west sides of the fire perimeter. The southwest line was mopped up 200 feet inside the fire perimeter to prevent reignition. Considering firefighter safety and the topography, hand crews constructed indirect contingency lines west and south of the fire perimeter. Helicopters completed water drops on the fire and delivered supplies to firefighters. The fire is partially within the Pecos Wilderness, is progressing to the northeast, and remains within the indirect firelines.
Fire behavior is expected to intensify again today as the weather is predicted to continue hot, dry and very unstable. Increased upper level moisture may result in dry lightning into the weekend. Fire progression is anticipated; however, firefighters are prepared for an increase in fire behavior. Hand crews will extend the indirect contingency line on the west and south perimeters. Helicopters will be used for water drops on the fire and to deliver supplies to firefighters as needed.
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.
Threats: The Santa Fe watershed, Santa Fe ski area, Nambe Pueblo lands, Tesuque Pueblo lands and Tesuque Peak communications site remained threatened. No evacuations are in effect at this time within Pacheco Canyon. Residents of the area should remain aware of changing conditions as fire spread increases.
Smoke: Fire behavior was extreme yesterday, with smoke drifting to the east southeast. Smoke will remain a concern in the fire area until the summer rains come. Communities downwind of the fire should expect smoke impacts in the days ahead. Smoke sensitive persons in the area need to be alert to this possibility and be prepared to take any necessary precautions. For more smoke information and air quality forecasts, please visit the New Mexico Environment Department's website at http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/aqb/WildfireSmokeResources.htm.
Other websites with useful information concerning smoke are: http://smoke.airfire.org/sw-outlook, http://smoke.airfire.org/sw-outlook/map, http://smoke.airfire.org/sw-monitoring.
Road and Fire Area Closure: New Mexico Route 475, also known as Hyde Park Road, and Artist Road are closed at mile post 9, at the Forest boundary. Forest Service Road 102 to Pacheco Road is also closed.
A Fire Area Closure has been enacted. Review it at: www.fs.fed.us/r3/sfe/conditions/index.html
Open and active: Communities in and around the Santa Fe National Forest remain open and accessible including Tesuque, Nambe, Santa Fe, and Pecos (including the Highway 63 corridor).
Fire Restrictions: The Santa Fe National Forest implemented Stage III Fire Restrictions across the Forest today. Stage III Fire Restrictions restrict access to/use of certain parts of the Forest, yet there are recreational opportunities available. The detailed list of what is off limits (restricted) and what will remain OPEN is now available. For that list please visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/sfe/. Open areas will remain under Stage II restrictions.
Note the new Fire Information phone numbers. (505) 473-3760 or (505) 473-3792
