Smoke From Sardinas Canyon Fire May Cause Health Hazards For Northern NM Residents

By
Pastor Dewey Moede
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Please pray for rain! Over 100,000 acres of New Mexico land has burned this year! Another day of 100 degree heat and no rain is in the forecast. Pray for the safety of the firefighters! Love in Jesus to all!
FGGAM NEWS just received this news release:
Potential Air Quality Impacts to Areas of Northern NM
Smoke from Sardinas Canyon Fire May Present
Health Hazards for Nearby Residents
SANTA FE, NM – With the Sardinas Canyon Fire burning in the Carson National Forest approximately 18 miles southeast of Taos, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) and New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) are monitoring air quality in areas of Northern New Mexico that may be affected by smoke from the wildfire – including Mora, Chacon, Holman, Angel Fire, Black Lake, Taos, Peñasco, Ranchos De Taos, Talpa, Pot Creek, Tres Ritos, Valle Escondido, and Taos Canyon communities.
Air quality monitors are being set up Thursday in Mora and at Sipapu to measure air quality conditions and assess the most immediate air quality impacts from the wildfire. Monitoring data will be accessible here once it is made available.
NMDOH encourages New Mexico residents to take precautions to protect their health from the hazards of wildfire smoke. Smoke can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system, and intensify chronic heart and lung problems. People with heart and/or lung disease, adults over the age of 65, young children, and pregnant women should minimize outdoor activities during times when the visibility is 5 miles or less.
Your eyes are useful tools to determine if it’s safe to be outside. Even if you smell smoke, the air quality may still be good. Remember: if visibility is over five miles, the air quality is generally good. However, no matter how far you can see, if you are having health effects from smoke exposure then take extra care to stay inside or get to an area with better air quality. You should also see your doctor or healthcare professional as needed.
To learn how to use 5-3-1 Visibility Method to assess the air quality, and for more information on how to protect your health from smoke, visit the New Mexico Environmental Public Health Tracking website. Find additional wildfire and smoke resources on the NMED Air Quality Bureau website.
For up-to-date information on the Sardinas Canyon Fire, visithttps://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5868/ and https://nmfireinfo.com as well as onFacebook and Twitter.

FROM NM FIRE:

Sardinas Canyon Fire – June 27, 2018 Update

JUNE 27, 2018 BY CAFPIO 0 COMMENTS

Sardinas Canyon Fire – June 27, 2018 Update

Acres: Approximately 800 acres

Percent Containment: 0%

Start Date: June 24, 2018, 2:09pm

Cause: Unknown, under investigation

Jurisdiction: Carson National Forest, Camino Real Ranger District

Fuels: Aspen, high altitude mixed conifer, and sub-alpine fir

Origin Location: Sardinas Canyon, 18 miles southeast of Taos, New Mexico

Resources: 144 personnel, 4 crews, 4 engines, 3 dozers, 3 helicopters, 1 fixed wing aircraft, 1 skidgen, and 1 road grader

Yesterday, the majority of the fire growth was on the east flank which remains west of Forest Service Road 76.  Today, firefighters focus their efforts on the south and southeast flanks of the fire.  Crews plan to prep and hold Forest Service Road 76, keeping the fire from advancing east of Forest Service road 76.  Expect fire growth to the east and southeast due to the forecasted wind winds today.  Firefighters will continue to utilize air resources to help slow the progression of the fire to the southeast.  Fire activity will be similar to today’s fire behavior due to hot and dry condition.

Due to the remote location and rough terrain firefighters are implementing tactics that will yield a high probability of success while allowing for the safety of firefighters.  Additional management actions will be further determined by fire activity, weather, and continued progression of the fire and forest closure.

There will be a community meeting about the Sardinas Canyon fire on Thursday, June 28th at 6:00p.m. in the board room at the Mora Independent School at #10 Ranger Drive in Mora, New Mexico.  Incident management team personnel and fire cooperators will provide an update on the fire.

Mora, Chacon, Holman, Angel Fire, Black Lake, Taos, Peñasco, Ranchos De Taos, Talpa, Pot Creek, Tres Ritos, Valle Escondido, and Taos Canyon communities may be impacted by smoke because of prevailing winds.  Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health’s website.

Camino Real Ranger District on the Carson National Forest is closed, prohibiting public access to the forest.  Today, Wednesday, June 27 the Carson National Forest will also close (with the exception of the Jicarilla Ranger District and Eagle Rock Lake on the Questa Ranger District will remain open during daylight hours).  All activities are prohibited including recreation and wood gathering on the Carson National Forest.  Campgrounds, trails and trailheads, and National Forest System roads will be closed to the general public.  County and state roads that cross Forest Service lands are not under the Forest Service’s jurisdiction and will remain open to vehicular traffic.  Additional closure information can be found online at the Carson National Forest webpage.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire. Unauthorized use of unmanned aircraft (also known as “drones”) in a fire area endangers the lives of pilots and firefighters and is strictly forbidden. Never fly unmanned aircraft over or near a wildfire whether there is a TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) in effect or not.  Visit https://www.nifc.gov/dronesand Know Before You Go for more information on drones and wildfires.

Sardinas Canyon Fire Info: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5868/ (air quality info, maps, etc.) and https://nmfireinfo.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarsonNF/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/CarsonNF

Email: sardinascanyonfireinfo@gmail.com

Public Line: (575) 737-8784 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

Sardinas Canyon Fire Community Meeting June 28

JUNE 27, 2018 BY CAFPIO 0 COMMENTS

There will be a community meeting about the Sardinas Canyon fire on Thursday, June 28th at 6:00 p.m. in the board room at the Mora Independent School at #10 Ranger Drive in Mora, New Mexico.  Incident management team personnel and fire cooperators will provide an update on the fire and closures.SardinasCanyonFire_06_28_2018_PubMtg (1)

For additional fire information please visit InciWeb.

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