Vasquez Asks for Federal Accountability Following New Mexico’s Most Devastating Year of Wildfires

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to the most disastrous wildfire season in New Mexico’s history last year, Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) penned a letter to Chief Randy Moore of the United States Forest Service (USFS). The Representative was joined by Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03) to inquire about detailed, preventative measures the USFS will implement for future prescribed burns in New Mexico’s national forests.

Last summer, the USFS admitted that the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire resulted from a prescribed pile burn, ultimately becoming one of the largest fires in New Mexico’s history. The fire burned nearly 350,000 acres of land and destroyed more than 900 buildings, including the homes of over 300 New Mexicans. 

“While most prescribed burns are completed without incident, the Forest Service must regain the trust of every New Mexican after sparking one of the largest fires in our state’s history last year,” said Rep. Vasquez. “It is the full responsibility of the Forest Service to provide a detailed explanation of how it will ensure our constituents, lands, wildlife and natural resources are protected from a future, preventable wildfire disaster. Prescribed burns are designed to help reduce fuel and lessen the impacts of wildfires, not devastate our communities. I urge the Forest Service to immediately implement the protocols to conduct prescribed burns safely and effectively to avoid future, devastating impacts to New Mexicans.” 

“The Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire was the largest wildfire in the history of New Mexico. It ravaged my district. The U.S. Forest Service admitted fault, but we have a long way to go before they regain the trust of New Mexicans,” said Rep. Leger Fernández. “This letter requests that the USFS clearly explain what they plan to change to prevent another grave error like this. Our lands, forests, waters, and communities cannot afford anything less, and our people deserve it.”

Rep. Vasquez will work with the Forest Service and his Congressional colleagues to monitor the controlled burns planned for New Mexico’s national forests this year.

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The full text of the letter from Rep. Vasquez and Rep. Leger-Fernandez is below.

Dear Chief Moore, 

We write to inquire about the preventative measures the United States Forest Service (USFS) is undertaking for the controlled burns planned for our national forests. It is imperative that our constituents and our lands are protected from the next wildfire disaster because our constituents cannot afford to have another unprepared wildfire response. 

Controlled burns are fires set intentionally for the purpose of reducing potentially hazardous fuels, helping endangered species recover, returning nutrients to the soil, and generally mitigating wildfire risk in the future. Fires can be set over large tracts of land or in pile burns, debris and branches that are stacked and burned after they dry out. These actions can be particularly helpful in preserving our forests under the correct conditions but can be disastrous if those conditions are not met.

Last summer, the Forest Service admitted to causing two wildfires that would eventually merge into the largest fire in New Mexico’s history, burning nearly 350,000 acres of land and destroying over 900 buildings. The fire at Calf Canyon was the result of a prescribed pile burn that later reignited and merged with the Hermit’s Peak fire, an approved prescribed fire with a burn plan outlined by USFS. A disaster of this proportion cannot happen again. 

We understand that the effects of climate change heighten the impact of wildfires on forests across the country, and that most prescribed burns are completed without issue. To help restore trust in preventative measures and ensure the safety of our constituents, we request answers to the following:

• How are prescribed burn notices to local governments and adjacent landowners being communicated to ensure our constituents receive timely notices of fires? 
• Has protocol been modified regarding burn piles to prevent smoldering fires from reigniting? 
• What measures is your agency taking to ensure fires remain contained? 

We look forward to your response on this matter and ensuring New Mexicans are safe and prepared for the next wildfire.

Sincerely, 

Gabe Vasquez

Member of Congress

Teresa Leger-Fernandez

Member of Congress

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