San Miguel Wildland Fire Update - July 12
Incident: San Miguel Wildfire
Released: 7/12/2009
Bandelier National Monument Superintendent Jason Lott and Santa Fe National Forest Supervisor Daniel Jiron took an aerial reconnaissance flight over the fire today. Lott commented, "This fire continues to be an excellent opportunity to manage fire across the landscape, not just within our respective management units." Jiron added, "Working together as interagency partners has allowed us to do the right thing, at the right time, for the right reasons."
"We're seeing ideal fire behavior," says Incident Commander Robert Morales. "The fire has been moving along the forest floor, cleaning out dead pinon and downed logs on the forest floor. The fire has only moved into the tree tops in a few places." he added.
On Saturday, the fire grew 510 acres. The majority of growth occurred on the northeast finger of the San Miguel Wildland Fire where it followed the drainage north along Red Canyon, and has crossed the Boundary Creek Trail. As of Sunday at noon, the lightning-ignited San Miguel Wildland Fire is 1,356 acres (1,238 acres on Bandelier National Monument; 128 acres on Santa Fe National Forest).
Today the Santa Fe hotshot crew prepared a contingency line to help protect the Dome Lookout while the Bandelier Wildland Fire Module patrolled the eastern perimeter of the fire. A helicopter also dropped buckets of water to cool off a hot spot near the southern perimeter of the fire. On Monday, the Carson Hotshot crew will be arriving to work with the Santa Fe Hotshot crew, scouting the northern perimeter of the fire, where they may construct a line ahead of the fire to protect the Dome Lookout. The Bandelier Wildland Fire Module will continue patrolling the eastern side of the fire to ensure the fire does not move down Red Canyon into Capulin Canyon.
Backcountry closures have been implemented on the Santa Fe National Forest due to fire activity. "We're asking recreationists on the Santa Fe National Forest to stay out of the Dome Wilderness area," says Linda Riddle, Santa Fe National Forest-- Jemez District Ranger. "This includes traveling on any trails or old forest roads to the east of Forest Road (FR 289). FR 142 is closed to the public at FR 289 due to fire vehicle traffic. Additionally, the following Santa Fe National Forest trails are closed for public safety: Trail 116 - Capulin Trail, Trail 118 - St. Peter's Dome Trail, Trail 119 - Turkey Spring Trail, and Trail 427 - Boundary Peak Trail," Riddle said.
Bandelier National 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 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. Visitors to the park may encounter smoky conditions during late afternoon and evening hours as localized smoke settles over the Monument. The best place to view the fire is at the scenic overlook located on the main park road, where park staff and fire information officers are available to answer questions.
San Miguel Wildland Fire Quick Facts - July 12
Date of Discovery: July 2, 2009 Cause: Lightning
Location: The fire is in a remote area of the Bandelier Wilderness at Bandelier National Monument and the Dome Wilderness on the Santa Fe National Forest. The fire remains 13 miles south of Los Alamos. It is also approximately 9.5 miles southwest of White Rock, 10.5 miles north of Cochiti Pueblo, 22 miles northwest of Santa Fe, and 4.5 miles southwest of Bandelier National Monument scenic overlook.
Vegetation: The fire is burning in pinon, juniper, ponderosa pine and grass.
Smoke: Smoke may be visible from Los Alamos, Santa Fe, Bernalillo, Albuquerque and I-25, especially in the afternoons and evenings. Smoke may settle 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.
Resources: 39 total personnel including the Bandelier Wildland Fire Module, Santa Fe Hotshot Crew, and various overhead positions.
Fire Information: Call (505) 662-7065 x 28 or visit http://www.inciweb.org/
