CREWS CONTINUE TO EXPAND THE PINO FIRE BURNING IN THE SANTA FE NATIONAL FOREST NEAR JEMEZ SPRINGS. FIRE OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN USING THE FIRE THAT STARTED AUGUST 13TH TO BURN OFF EXCESS FUELS ON THE FOREST FLOOR … AND IT'S SENT A LOT OF SMOKE OVER SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES … INCLUDING ALBUQUERQUE.
FIRE INFORMATION OFFICER KAREN TAKAI SAYS WEDNESDAY AERIAL AND HAND IGNITIONS WILL SPEW OUT THAT SMOKE AGAIN… BUT WHERE THE SMOKE MOVES WILL DEPEND ON THE WINDS. HOWEVER, TAKAI TELLS US CREWS EXPECT TO COMPLETE IGNITIONS WEDNESDAY, SO THE SMOKE SHOULD BE FULLY DISSIPATED BY THE WEEKEND.
THE GOAL WAS TO EXPAND THE LIGHTNING-CAUSED FIRE FROM ABOUT 150 ACRES TO 4-THOUSAND ACRES. TAKAI SAYS THEY BURNED 22-HUNDRED ACRES ON TUESDAY.
