San Miguel Fire Continues to Grow Slowly as Expected
Incident: San Miguel Wildfire
Released: 7/9/2009
The lightning-ignited San Miguel Wildland Fire burning in the Bandelier Wilderness has slowly grown to over 400 acres. Today approximately five acres of the fire burned into the Dome Wilderness of the bordering Sante Fe National Forest. Fire managers have already been working closely together and are now jointly managing this interagency fire. The fire will continue to be managed for resource benefits on both jurisdictions.
Today firefighters continued to monitor fire activity from the air and ground. The fire has primarily been smoldering and creeping during the day. Fire behavior this afternoon included running and torching, with occasional short range spotting. The fire remains active this evening. "The San Miguel Wildland Fire continues to meet objectives and poses no immediate threats to life, safety, and property," said Fire Management Officer Gary Kemp.
Firefighters have been actively scouting areas ahead of the fire to ensure sensitive resources can be protected. A hot shot crew has been ordered to help take preventative measures to protect a backcountry cabin ahead of the fire. "We are prepared to take additional actions as needed to delay, direct, or minimize the spread of fire in one or more areas as needed," Kemp added.
Over the past few days smoke has been visible from Los Alamos, Sante Fe, Bernalillo, Albuquerque, and I-25, especially in the afternoon and evenings. Smoke has inevitably been settling in some communities during the overnight hours. There has been good smoke dispersal during the day. Smoke is expected to vary in intensity, location and duration with fire activity, fuels, and weather over the duration of the fire.
"We always prioritize public health and safety when planning and managing wildland fire activities in the Monument," said Superintendent Jason Lott. "However we always face tradeoffs when dealing with smoke," he added.
"Large, intense wildfires are more likely to produce heavy smoke that often smokes in communities for weeks at a time," said Fire Management Officer Gary Kemp. "The San Miguel fire has been and is expected to continue to be a slow-growing wildfire. Smoke has been present, but has been dispersing well during the day. This fire is also helping create a natural fuel break which will minimize the spread and intensity of large wildfires and the associated smoke in the future," added Kemp.
The Monument remains open, and the main visitor areas, including the Main Loop Trail in Lower Frijoles Canyon are not affected by this fire. Backcountry closures in the park have been extended to include the Turkey Springs Trail, Boundary Peak Trail, and Capulin Canyon - including all trails and backcountry camping areas in Capulin. "Backcountry campers may still obtain free permits to camp in the designated areas in Frijoles Canyon even though Capulin Canyon is closed. All visitors to the park may encounter smoky conditions during late afternoon and evening hours as localized smoke settles over the Monument," said Lott.
The San Miguel Wildland Fire remains approximately 13 miles south of Los Alamos, NM. "We are providing public information at the scenic overlook located on the main park entrance road," added Lott. "There are good opportunities to view this fire from this overlook and to talk with park staff and fire information officers for fire updates. The overlook is staffed when the fire is usually most visible - between 2 and 6 pm."
If you would like to receive daily e-mail fire updates or additional fire information, maps, and photos, please visit www.nps.gov/fire or call 505-662-7065 x 28.
