San Miguel Wildland Fire Update – July 15
Incident: San Miguel Wildfire
Released: 7/15/2009
Bandelier National Monument and the Santa Fe National Forest are cooperatively managing the lightning-ignited San Miguel Wildland Fire for resource benefits. The fire is currently 1,635 acres (1,443 acres on Bandelier National Monument; 192 acres on Santa Fe National Forest).
"Our goal is to use the safest, most effective, and cost efficient strategies to manage this fire," said Bandelier National Monument Superintendent Jason Lott. "Managing fire means using the right response at the right time for the right reason," he emphasized.
Today firefighters continued to confine the northeast perimeter of the fire, keeping it out of Capulin Canyon. A helicopter dropped buckets of water to cool a hotspot on the southern perimeter, and three firefighters were sent in to that area to ensure that portion of the fire remains confined.
"Using natural boundaries to confine this fire increases the safety factor and reduces the number of firefighters needed on the ground," said Incident Commander Robert Morales. "Using aircraft only where they are most effective also increases safety and reduces costs," Morales added.
Tomorrow firefighters will patrol the northeast perimeter and will continue suppressing a hotspot near the southern perimeter of the fire. There are currently 69 total personnel assigned to the fire including: 1 Wildland Fire Module, 2 hotshot crews, and various overhead positions.
Due to the remote location of the fire and the fact that it lies in Congressionally-designated Wilderness areas (which are roadless) crews are accessing the fire on foot. It takes the firefighters over two hours to drive to the trailhead, and another two hours or more to hike into the fire area to work. For this reason, the hotshots and fire module crewmembers are camping out near the fire overnight. This will allow them to be more productive and accomplish more work, in addition to reducing fatigue caused by continuously hiking in and out over the steep terrain.
Today there was minimal fire activity and no additional growth occurred. "Fire and smoke activity are beginning to slow," said Morales. "However the western perimeter of the fire remains active," continued Morales.
"This fire is not over yet," said Bandelier National Monument Fire Management Officer Gary Kemp. "We anticipate minimal fire behavior over the next few days, however there is still potential for fire activity and smoke to increase again over the next few weeks," Kemp explained.
- Continued -
San Miguel Wildland Fire Quick Facts - July 15
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.
Santa Fe National Forest Backcountry Status: Forest Road (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.
Bandelier National Monument Status: 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.
Fire Information: Call (505) 662-7065 x 28
