Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández released the following statement after the U.S. Forest Service released a report about the Las Dispensas prescribed burn fire.

“This review is incredibly disturbing as it lists multiple errors in the calculations that went into the prescribed burn that eventually upended the lives of thousands of New Mexicans. Forest Service failures destroyed many rich and proud New Mexico communities. The rains may cause a second flood disaster. As the report notes, the Forest Service did not place  a high value on the numerous homes, communities, lives, historic sites, and watersheds at risk.  We know, and the report concludes as well, that these sites deserved the highest valuation,  and therefore greatest protection from risk.

The cavalier attitude to the complexities of fire behavior and the likelihood of escape from the perimeters is shocking. The prescribed burn analysis not only undervalued what was at risk, it underestimated the impact of the extended drought on the likelihood the fire would escape the perimeters, and it did not update the analysis with the latest conditions on the ground. 

After reading this report I am convinced that the independent federal investigation I called for is now more important than ever. I am pleased to report that I have secured a federal investigation into the USFS prescribed burn policies. 

The USFS did not have adequate personnel available to mitigate an escape, nor did they have the water that their own analysis indicated would be necessary to suppress a wildfire. I am especially concerned that the personnel felt pressured to “accomplish the mission” which may have contributed to the push to burn. 

It makes no sense to move forward with a prescribed burn in 2022 based on prescribed burn policies from 2006 and it is unbelievably irresponsible to start a fire without verifying the fuels and conditions on the ground.  If the Forest Service claims that it followed all of its prescribed burn processes, clearly those processes are dangerous and negligent.

This review underscores the need for an independent investigation of the Forest Service’s prescribed burn policies that I have called for. This can never happen again.  We cannot rebuild the trust of our beloved communities and productively work to protect our forests without accountability.  Lastly, I will continue to champion my legislation to fully compensate those affected by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Wildfire. 

Prescribed burns play an important role in forest management. But, this tragedy was avoidable, and the Forest Service should indefinitely suspend prescribed burns until it has fixed the glaring issues described in its report.” 

Earlier this month Congresswoman Leger Fernández called for an independent federal investigation into the USFS prescribed burn processes and policies. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has agreed to conduct this investigation. 

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