Prescribed burn planned at Hyde Memorial State Park

Forest managers plan to begin a prescribed fire at Hyde Memorial State Park on Wednesday and warned in a news release that smoke will be visible in the area.

The mitigation effort northeast of Santa Fe is a collaboration between the New Mexico State Forestry Division, the New Mexico State Parks Division, the U.S. Forest Service and Santa Fe National Forest Española Ranger District.

The prescribed fire, which is expected to last at least three days, will eliminate brush piles in areas that are difficult for large equipment to access, the statement said. Crews will be active on approximately 40 acres.

The endeavor is part of an ongoing wildfire mitigation project at the park that began in 2015. When completed, it will ultimately treat about 120 acres.

Hyde Memorial State Park is at an elevated risk for wildfire due to its location within the Santa Fe National Forest, visitor activities including campfires, and a decline in forest health from diseases such as dwarf mistletoe, the release says.

Individuals in the surrounding area who have smoke sensitivities are advised to limit their outdoor exposure during the burn. Smoke may travel off-site, and surrounding roads, including N.M. 475/Hyde Park Road, could be temporarily closed if visibility is compromised. Hyde Memorial State Park will remain open to the public.