Controlled Burns and Forest Fires
Northern New Mexico and Forest Fires
Warm, dry conditions and flammable trees make it prone to forest fires
Historical fires cleared out dead wood and renewed the land
Prevention Efforts and Consequences
Settlers wanted to prevent fires to protect property and lives
Lack of frequent smaller fires led to more intense and destructive wildfires
1977 La Mesa Fire and 1996 Dome Fire threatened Los Alamos
Changing Weather Patterns
After the 1996 Dome Fire, wet years followed by drought increased vegetation growth and drying
The Decision and Controlled Burn
National Park Service employees decided to use a controlled burn to manage the risk
Controlled burn involved setting a fire in a monitored area with removed vegetation as a fire break
Consequences and Lessons Learned
Evacuations took place, no lives lost, but significant property damage occurred
Cerro Grande fire burned 47,000 acres and cost $906 million
Officials acknowledged mistakes, lost jobs, and new regulations were implemented
