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Largest fire in New Mexico history caused by planned burns, federal review finds
SANTA FE, N.M. - The largest fire in New Mexico history was caused by a federal pile burn holdover, fire investigators with the U.S. Forest Service said.A 90-day pause on all prescribed burns on National Forest System lands is now in effect, a decision the agency announced on Friday.The Calf Canyon Fire on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest was caused by a sleeper fire from January that remained dormant under the surface through three winter snow events before reemerging in April. EXPERTS BELIEVE THE WESTERN FIRE SEASON WILL BE MORE ACTIVE THAN NORMAL BUT WILL FALL SHORT OF RECORDSThe fire then merged with the Hermits Peak Fire which was also caused by an escaped prescribed burn.