Fire

For eons, fire has played an important ecological role in the Jemez Mountains of northern New Mexico. Historically, small fires occurred at regular intervals, preventing fuels like leaf litter, dead trees, and limbs from building up on the forest floor over time. For this reason, historic fires burned low to the ground and moved slowly across the landscape. These fires provided great ecosystem benefits: nutrient cycling, boosting soil fertility, stimulating new plant growth, promoting seed germination, deterring invasive species, and improving habitat for fire-adapted native species.

However, in recent times, fires have become larger, faster, and more severe. As Anglo-European settlement burgeoned across North America in the 19th and 20th centuries, naturally-occurring fires were often suppressed to protect life and property. This led to a build-up of fuels that would eventually facilitate catastrophic wildfires. Today, hotter and drier climatic conditions are also contributing to higher-intensity wildfires. Learn more: Fire in the Jemez Mountains StoryMap.

To restore ecosystem health and reduce the risk of future wildfires, fire managers work closely with natural and cultural resource specialists and researchers to monitor the effects of forest treatments on wildlife, plant communities, watersheds, archeological resources, and overall ecosystem health. Check out the articles below for more information.