Santa Fe National Forest flies fixed-wing infrared technology on all prescribed fires and confirms no residual heat present

Contact(s): Sarah Smith

Santa Fe, N.M., February 26, 2025— As early spring weather brings warmer temperatures and winds to northern New Mexico, the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) wants to share with our communities that fire managers used a variety of techniques, including aerial infrared monitoring, to confirm no residual heat remains on fall and winter prescribed fire projects.

In late 2024 and early 2025, SFNF fire managers treated hazardous fuels through prescribed fire projects in the following locations:

Jemez Ranger District: Hill Unit, Seven Springs Pile, Triangle Pile, Joaquin North
Cuba Ranger District: Deer Lake Pile, Tusa's West Pile
Coyote Ranger District: Lino Pile, Gobernador Pile
Española Ranger District: Hyde Park Pile

After project implementation, efforts shifted to patrolling and monitoring prescribed fire units to ensure fire stayed within the project boundaries and was fully extinguished. Crews patrolled prescribed fires frequently and addressed any hotspots located on the ground before shifting to aerial monitoring to ensure no heat remained. Crews flew a fixed-wing aircraft equipped with a military-grade infrared camera system over all prescribed fire locations. These camera systems can pick up a heat source the size of a dinner plate and are used identify heat that is not visible or felt while patrolling on the ground.

Each prescribed fire is different and requires a unique set of tools to call the fire out. Personnel will continue to focus on patrolling the burn units and work to call the prescribed fires out. The SFNF is not planning to implement any spring prescribed fire projects and will instead focus on preparing resources for possible wildfires this season.

Prescribed fire projects maintain and improve wildlife habitat, prevent forest overcrowding, and lessen the severity of wildfires. To learn more about our Santa Fe National Forest prescribed fire program please visit our website.