Gallinas Canyon WUI Prescribed Pile Burn (Prescribed Fire)

 Fire managers on the Pecos/Las Vegas District of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) are implementing the previously announced Gallinas Canyon wildland-urban interface (WUI) prescribed pile burn today, Monday, Jan. 10, through Wednesday, Jan. 12. The decision to proceed was based on multiple factors, including snowpack, fuel moisture levels, air quality, ventilation, forecasted weather and wind, and resource availability.  The 374-acre Gallinas Canyon WUI pile burn is approximately 17 miles west of Las Vegas. The primary objective is to reduce hazardous fuels and protect communities in the WUI, the transition zone between natural areas and human development. Prescribed burns are always managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority. Winter is an optimal time to burn piled slash and woody debris from earlier forest restoration work because snow on the ground keeps the fire from spreading to adjacent vegetation. Generally, pile burns produce less smoke and burn…