US review traces massive New Mexico fire to planned burns

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

MORGAN LEE and CEDAR ATTANACIO,
Associated Press
May 27, 2022
Updated: May 27, 2022 9:25 p.m.

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Two fires that merged to create the largest wildfire in New Mexico history have both been traced to planned burns set by U.S. forest managers as preventative measures, federal investigators announced Friday.

The findings shift responsibility more squarely toward the U.S. Forest Service for initiating a natural disaster that has destroyed at least 330 homes as flames raged through nearly 500 square miles (1,300 square kilometers) of high-altitude pine forests and meadows. The wildfire also has displaced thousands of residents from rural villages with Spanish-colonial roots and high poverty rates, while unleashing untold environmental damage.

Roughly 3,000 firefighters, along with water-dropping planes and helicopters, continue to fight the blaze as it approaches mountain resorts and Native American communities. Firefighting costs already surpass $132 million, climbing by $5 million a day.

Fire and law enforcement officials offered a cautious but hopeful Friday night status report, with fire behavior analyst Stewart Turner noting they need to watch the so-called “red flag” conditions — warm, dry weather with high winds — starting Saturday.

Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/article/US-Forest-Service-Prescribed-burns-initiated-17204093.php

[PoliticAverse]

1. "Oops." n/t

[Warpy]

2. It was a slash pile burned early in January

When those burn, they leave hot spots underneath. There were two light snowfalls, but neither was sufficient to cool it down completely, and it flared up during our incredibly dry spring.

Usually this doesn't happen, January and February are typically snowy enough to cool any hot spots down completely. We got next to nothing this year and there's no indication next year will be any better. The Forestry Service might have to rethink a few things.

[womanofthehills]

5. The other was a planned burn on April 6 which was a really bad decision

The two fires merged. I heard new policies will be written for no planned burns during windy dry season. People are really angry at the Forest Service for making such a stupid move and they are calling for the firing of the staff who started the fire. . I have two friends that are fire watchers out here.

[Warpy]

6. They're damned if they do and damned if they don't at this point

They desperately need to burn off some of the built up fuel before dry lightning starts up next month.

They really need to rethink their pile burn procedures. Those things can flare up easily if we don't get any snow, and we didn't.

[twodogsbarking]

3. Oh well.

[Bayard]

4. I've ridden horseback in the mountains of the Santa Fe National Forest

Still fringes of snow in August. It was breathtaking.

These fires are really sad.