News Release

Valles Caldera National Preserve to Expand the Managed Redondo Fire

Expanded Redondo Fire

Public Domain

News Release Date: August 28, 2019

Contact: Kimberly DeVall, 575-829-4820

Contact: Daniel Kish, 5052064971

Valles Caldera National Preserve to Expand the Managed Redondo Fire
  
Jemez Springs, NM — Fire crews will expand the Redondo Fire managed burn area along Valles Caldera National Preserve’s western boundary south of Freelove Canyon. Firing operations planned for Thursday and Friday will ultimately help to increase public safety and protect neighboring private land and homeowners.

Over the past eleven days National Park officials have successfully managed the original 200 acre Redondo Fire due to favorable conditions, including monsoonal rains, high humidity, and the availability of fire crews.

"Conditions have been good this year for us to safely manage fires in a closely monitored and confined area," said Valles Caldera Superintendent Jorge Silva-Bañuelos. “The goal is to reduce hazardous fuel loads near this developed area to achieve not only ecological benefits, but to improve public safety and help protect our neighboring private property owners.”  For the duration of the Redondo Fire, the superintendent has issued a closure order for the area and the road into Redondo Meadow.

Smoke is expected to be visible during fire operations through the week and possibly into the weekend.  Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures.
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About Valles Caldera National Preserve
About 1.25 million years ago, a spectacular volcanic eruption created the 13-mile wide circular depression now known as Valles Caldera. The preserve is known for its huge mountain meadows, abundant wildlife, and meandering streams. The area also preserves the homeland of ancestral native peoples and embraces a rich ranching history. Visit us at www.nps.gov/vall and on Facebook www.facebook.com/VallesCaldera/.


About the National Park Service.
More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.