Los Alamos Reporter

Redondo Meadows Fire Activity Minimal With Rains This Week

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Valles Caldera National Preserve. Photo Courtesy NPS

VALLES CALDERA NEWS

Fire activity has been minimal near Redondo Meadows within the Valles Caldera National Preserve with the rains this week, so fire crews have been prepping the boundary around the 200 acre unit. Drier weather is forecasted through this weekend, so fire activity may pick up.

The fire began last week when lightning ignited a single tree. Fire crews monitored the Redondo Fire over the weekend. Given favorable conditions, including monsoonal rains, high humidity, and the availability of fire crews, National Park Service officials decided  to manage the fire within a 200-acre area to reduce undesired fire behavior in the future.

“Wildfire is a natural component of our forest and grassland ecosystems, and when conditions permit, we strive to safely manage these naturally-caused fires,” said Valles Caldera Supt. Jorge Silva-Bañuelos. “The goal of the managed fire is to bring positive benefits to the landscape by removing the dead and downed fuels that have accumulated since the 2013 Thompson Ridge Fire.”

For the duration of the Redondo Fire, the superintendent has issued a closure order for the area and the road into Redondo Meadow.

Smoke is expected to be visible during fire operations.  Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures.

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