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

controlled-burning

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