Superintendent, Darlene M. Koontz, has announced that a management ignited prescribed fire may occur within the northern portion of the monument next week. The 377 acre Upper Frijoles Burn Unit (Unit 9) is located along State Road 4 near the head of Frijoles Canyon. ??We have been waiting since September for the area to be dry enough to burn,? said Koontz. ?This prescribed fire is planned to begin on Tuesday, December 6, 2005 and will last for 3 to 5 days. Weather conditions this weekend and the availability of fire management resources will affect the final decision to ignite the unit,? she added. ?This management-ignited prescribed fire is intended to achieve specific goals to decrease the risks from wildfire to the monument and surrounding lands.?
?Firefighter and public safety is the number one priority when conducting any fire management operation in Bandelier,? said Bandelier Fire Management Officer Gary Kemp. ?It is important for commuters to give themselves extra time to travel on this segment of State Road 4 and for everyone to slow down. Smoke may be present and firefighters will be working along the roadways. Lane closures and delays are likely during the first 24 hours and are possible throughout the entire week.?
Smoke emissions will be managed in accordance with New Mexico Environment Department - Air Quality Bureau regulations. Smoke impacts along roads will be monitored and park staff will be available to direct traffic if visibility is impaired. Limited road closures are anticipated, but all areas in the Upper Frijoles Unit of the park (including the Cross-country Ski Trail and Cerro Grande Unit) will be closed during ignition and periods of active fire spread. Some smoke may be visible in the area for several days following the burn.
For safety purposes, park visitors and area residents are urged not to stop along the roadway or enter the area while burning operations are being conducted. A viewing location will be designated with park staff available to answer questions.
Prescribed fires are conducted under the guidelines of Bandelier?s recently completed Fire Management Plan (2005). Several prescribed fires planned over the next few years will also be completed under the 2005 Fire Management Plan. The policy of using fire as a management tool will help decrease risks to life and property and help perpetuate the resource values for which Bandelier National Monument was established.
For more information regarding this prescribed fire or other fire management projects at Bandelier National Monument, call 505-662-7065 or email band_fire_comments@nps.gov or visit www.nps.gov/band.
