With storm clouds come lightning, and in the desert Southwest, that means wildfires may be swift to follow. This summer’s increase in rain across much of New Mexico means conditions are ripe for wildland fire crews to help naturally caused fires move across forests that need thinning to stay healthy.
The process is a far cry from previous decades of forest management characterized by aggressive suppression of each and every wildfire, said Bill Armstrong of the Santa Fe National Forest. The policy evolution means today’s U.S. Forest Service attempts to let fires burn when conditions are likely to prevent them from becoming destructive.
The Commissary Fire, sparked by lightning June 5 about 13 miles east of the village of Pecos, initially covered 25 acres. Then the Forest Service set out to strategically spread the flames.
Officials created a desired perimeter based on a complex matrix of factors, including how the weather was predicted to behave, and what buildings, roads or sensitive sites nearby were at potential risk. Crews then herded the fire within that perimeter, Armstrong said, using their own planned ignitions to help spread it across more than 17,800 acres.
That process was to continue as long as conditions permitted, he said. If the weather turns from cool and damp to hot and dry, or if smoke in nearby communities becomes intolerable, then park officials might decide to suppress the fire, he said.
From the Santa Fe New Mexican: https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/in-damp-weather-natural-fires-help-crews-do-forest-thinning/article_514c08a5-9913-5551-9964-2b1b4036d37a.html?utm_source=WIT071015&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=WeekInTrees