THE PINO FIRE JUST EAST OF JEMEZ SPRINGS IS ONLY 152 ACRES RIGHT NOW … BUT WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE, FIRE MANAGERS EXPECT IT TO BE 4-THOUSAND ACRES IN SIZE. FIRE INFORMATION OFFICER KAREN TAKAI SAYS THEY'RE USING THE FIRE STARTED BY LIGHTNING BACK ON AUGUST 13TH AS A WILDLAND FIRE TO BURN DEBRIS AND RELEASE NUTRIENTS SO THERE'S NEW GROWTH IN THE AREA. THAT MEANS LETTING THE FIRE PROGRESS NATURALLY. BUT TAKAI TELLS US THEY'RE KEEPING A CLOSE WATCH ON THE WEATHER THROUGHOUT THE WEEK. SHE SAYS CONDITIONS ARE CURRENTLY PERFECT FOR THE PROCEDURE.
THE ONE CONCERN THEY HAVE IS SMOKE IN THE AREA. TAKAI SAYS ANYONE LIVING NEARBY WHO IS AFFECTED BY THE SMOKE SHOULD CALL THEIR DOCTOR.
