ALBUQUERQUE, NM – October 31, 2024 – Today fire crews on the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands (NF & NG) successfully implemented the Tablazon prescribed fire (Rx) on the Sandia Ranger District. Weather conditions were favorable for ground ignitions. Fire crews accomplished blacklining of fuels along the control lines and burning of interior pockets on 82 acres of units 2 & 3 beginning at 9:30 AM this morning.
If conditions remain favorable tomorrow, crews will plan to continue with ignitions and burning operations on remaining units of the Tablazon RX fire project area.

The Tablazon prescribed fire project area is 207 acres, split into different units in the Tablazon Canyon area, in the Manzanita Mountains. Tablazon is located south of HWY 333, south of Lower Pine trailhead and east of FSRD 462. Map attached. During RX fire operations, visitors may be impacted by the Cedro, Bear Scat, Lower Pine, Tablazon and Coyote trails system. Smoke may be visible in the surrounding areas of Tijeras, Edgewood, Moriarty and Albuquerque.

Ignitions are dependent upon agency administrator approval and conditions within the ranges outlined in the prescribed fire plan. Desired conditions will result in effective smoke ventilation and dispersal and help achieve the effects needed to accomplish the burn plan objectives.

The Cibola NF & NGs manages all prescribed fires in compliance with New Mexico state air quality and smoke management regulations. However, smoke may settle into drainages and lower elevations at night. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the www.airnow.gov/.

Some objectives for the Tablazon Rx fire include improving wildlife habitat by creating diversity in vegetation, returning fire to the ecosystem in a controlled and efficient manner, and to reduce fuel loadings/raise the canopy cover base to reduce the likelihood of a crown fire, all while providing for the safety of all fire personnel and members of the public.

Announcements and updates on prescribed fire projects will be posted on InciWeb, New Mexico Fire Information and on the Cibola NF & NGs website,Cibola Facebook and Cibola TwitterCibola Twitter sites.

For more information on the Tablazon prescribed fire, contact the Sandia Ranger District Office at 505-281-3304 or Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands Supervisor's Office: 505-346-3900.