Brush cutters at work

Forest-thinning work began this week in Technical areas 70 and 71, south of the the Pajarito Acres subdivision and east of N.M. 4. The thinning effort is part of the Cerro Grande Rehabilitation Project and is designed to reduce potential fire danger on Laboratory property. Above, a hydrostatic brush cutter makes short work of closely spaced piñon and juniper trees in a thinning area just south of the Pajarito Acres boundary. The brush cutter mulches the trees in place and provides a stable ground cover that helps soils in the area retain moisture while reducing the potential for erosion (photo at right). The end result is a healthier, more fire-resistant ecosystem. In addition, the thinning will help create defensible space between Laboratory property and the boundary of residential areas. Creating defensible space allows fire fighters to more safely battle a blaze in the area should one occur. To date, the CGRP has reduced the fire danger on more than 7,000 acres of Laboratory property. In all, the project will treat approximately 10,000 acres. During the Cerro Grande Fire in May 2000, about 7,500 acres of Laboratory property burned. A lingering drought and an infestation of bark beetle has left the Pajarito Plateau vulnerable to continuing fire danger. Photos by James E. Rickman, Public Affairs