Posted at: 07/13/2009 6:00 PM
By: The Associated Press

Smoke advisory issued for part of New Mexico

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - The state Environment Department has issued a health advisory for parts of north-central New Mexico affected by smoke from a fire burning in the Santa Fe National Forest.

The San Miguel Fire was burning Monday in a remote area of wilderness about 13 miles south of Los Alamos. Health officials recommend that the elderly, children or anyone with respiratory or heart problems stay indoors or leave the area where smoke levels are within the unhealthy range.

The department also will place an air monitor downwind of the fire to ensure concerned citizens that particles in the smoke pose no harm to residents in the area.

Environment Department Deputy Secretary Jon Goldstein said the department anticipates there will be nothing out of the ordinary in the smoke.